Braga vs Guimaraes
Portuguese Primeira Liga
Saturday
6th January 2024
Estádio Municipal de Braga
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the Portuguese Primeira Liga fixture between Braga and Guimaraes.
Braga vs Guimaraes: Preview
Braga form analysis
Sporting Braga had been in good league form until recently suffering back-to-back narrow defeats. They grinded out a 0-1 away win over Arouca on November 12th thanks to an Álvaro Djaló goal. Braga then overcame an early deficit to beat Estoril 3-1 at home on December 3rd, with goals from Ricardo Horta, S. Banza and a late own goal sealing the win. This kicked off a fruitful period for striker Banza, who bagged two more goals in their 3-1 hammering of Vizela on December 8th. However, Braga’s momentum was halted by a 0-1 home loss to title-chasing Benfica on December 18th, with the visitors scoring early via C. Tengstedt.
Braga ended the year with another narrow 1-3 defeat away at Casa Pia on December 30th, despite leading early through João Moutinho. Banza scored late to give Braga brief hope, but a late Zalazar goal put the result beyond doubt. Overall, Braga had shown themselves to be legitimate top three contenders before these recent defeats. Forming a reliable central defensive partnership seems key to re-stabilize results. With the league’s second-best goal scorer Banza leading a dangerous attack, Braga will still fancy their chances at a Champions League return if defensive issues can be ironed out.
Guimaraes form analysis
Vitória Guimarães has shown improvement in recent league form after a poor start. They suffered a narrow 1-2 home loss to league leaders Porto on November 12th despite going ahead early via André Silva. Guimarães then managed an important 1-2 away win over struggling Farense on December 2nd with goals from Tomás Ribeiro and late substitute Jota Silva. This launched an improved run of form, as Guimarães upset Sporting CP 3-2 in an entertaining home match on December 9th.
Despite conceding first, a Tiago Silva penalty and further goals from André Silva and Dani Silva gave Guimarães a famous win. They ground out another narrow 0-1 away victory over Boavista on December 17th thanks to a Jota Silva strike. Guimarães ended 2023 consolidating their improved form with a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Rio Ave on December 23rd, with Tiago Silva converting another penalty. Overall, manager Moreno Teixeira seems to have addressed his side’s early defensive issues and propensity to drop leads late on. The attack has also clicked with club legend André Silva finding form. If Guimarães can sustain this defensive stability and chance conversion. They have an opportunity to push for a European spot in the second half of the Primeira Liga season.
