FC Famalicão vs S.C Braga Preview

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Futebol Clube de Famalicão host Sporting Clube de Braga on Friday night, as both sides are fighting for a sport in the Europa League group stage and 3rd place in Portugal's Primeira Liga. Famalicão have 43 points and are in 5th place which is enough for the 2nd qualifying round of the Europa League. For a team that got promoted last season and haven't competed in Portugal's top division since 1994, this is a fantastic season for Famalicão however they can achieve more. Braga are in 3rd place but are only three points ahead of Famalicão in the standings.
The last time both teams meet was in November 2019 where the game finished 2-2.
Image Source: Sporting Clube de Braga Facebook Page

Even though Famalicão have been overachieving this season, they have conceded 42 goals which is the 2nd most amount of goals conceded in the Primeira Liga after rock bottom Desportivo Aves. Despite this bad record, the defence have been solid in the last four games with only conceding three goals while two of those matches were against Sporting Lisbon and top of the table FC Porto. Roderick Miranda has been solid at the back and has won 69% of the tackles he has faced. Serbian midfielder has been huge for Famalicão as he controls the game and has a pass accuracy rate of 80%. And up front look out for Fabio Martins as he has nine goals, four assists and has won 67% of the tackles he has faced.

Famalicão players celebrate as they shock Porto and win 2-1
Image Source: FC Famalicão Facebook Page

Brazilian center back Bruno Viana has lead the back line for Braga as he has won 71% of the tackles he has faced and has an 87% pass accuracy rate. Even though Braga's form hasn't been the best as they lost two of their matches since the league resumed, they have a wide range of wingers and forwards. Ricardo Horta has been key for Braga on the wing as he has scored seven goals and has four assists. Portugal U20 international Francisco Trincão has play in the Braga academy teams and now has been stepping up this season with the first season by scoring seven goals and having three assists. Barcelona bought Trincão in January for 31 million Euros, however according to BE Soccer many other teams are keen to have him on loan. And with Trincão up front is Paulinho who has ten goals and is the 3rd top goal scorer in the Primeira Liga.

Braga lost at home to Boavista FC 0-1 in their last match.
Image Source: Sporting Clube de Braga Facebook Page

This match is a must win for both teams as Sporting Lisbon are tied with Braga at 46 points, and Famalicão are only three points behind. Braga have been competing in the Europa League for five seasons in a row whereas, Famalicão will be aiming to reach the competition for the first time in their history.


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