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In a top-of-the-table clash in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, Sporting host Braga at the Estádio José Alvalade on Saturday.
Sporting bounced back well from their first loss of the campaign against Santa Clara with a 2-0 win at Vizela in the previous outing. However, they find themselves three points behind league leaders Porto.
Braga have hit a poor run of form recently and lost 1-0 to Maritimo at home in their previous outing. It was their fourth loss in seven games across all competitions.
Sporting vs Braga Head-to-Head
There have been 71 meetings between the two sides across all competitions since 1990. As expected, the hosts hold the upper hand in this fixture with 44 wins to their name while 20 games have gone Braga's way. The spoils have been shared just seven times between the two sides, with the last draw being played in 2017.
They last met in league action earlier this season at the Estádio Municipal de Braga in August. The game ended in a 2-1 win for Leões.
Sporting form guide (all competitions): W-W-L-W-W
Braga form guide (all competitions): L-D-W-L-W
Sporting vs Braga Team News
Sporting
Jovane Cabral has resumed training following a knee injury but his involvement in the game remains doubtful. Pedro Porro has also been ruled out with a hamstring issue.
Nuno Santos has been awarded a one-game suspension following an incident against Vizela fans on the sidelines.
Injured: Pedro Porro
Doubtful: Jovane Cabral
Suspended: Nuno Santos
Braga
David Carmo, Leonardo Buta, Nuno Sequeira, Lucas Mineiro and Wenderson Galeno are ruled out with injuries for the trip to Lisbon. Tiago Sá and Francisco Moura tested positive for COVID-19 last week and their involvement here remains doubtful.
Yan Couto was the latest player to test positive for COVID-19 and is set to miss the game.
Injured: David Carmo, Leonardo Buta, Nuno Sequeira, Lucas Mineiro, Wenderson Galeno
Doubtful: Tiago Sá, Francisco
Unavailable: Yan Couto (COVID-19)
Suspended: None
Sporting vs Braga Predicted XI
Sporting CP Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Antonio Adan; Sebastián Coates, Goncalo Inacio, Matheus Reis; Ricardo Esgaio, Daniel Braganca, Gonçalo Esteves, Joao Palhinha; Pedro Goncalves, Pablo Sarabia; Paulinho
Sporting Braga predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Matheus; Diogo Leite, Bruno Rodigues, Paulo Oliveira; Roger Fernandes, Andre Horta, Andre Castro, Jean-Baptiste Gorby; Iuri Medeiros, Ricardo Horta; Abel Ruiz
Sporting vs Braga Prediction
Sporting have the best defensive record in the league, having let in just 10 goals while the visitors have conceded 19 goals this term. Sporting are unbeaten at home this term and it is unlikely that Braga will break that that streak here.
Prediction: Sporting 2-1 Braga.
