Needing just one win to clinch their 30th Primeira Liga title, high-flying Porto go head to head with Braga at the Estadio Braga Municipal on Monday.

Sergio Conceicao's side, who have enjoyed an unbeaten campaign so far, boast a nine-point lead over second-placed Sporting Lisbon at the top of the league table after picking up 82 points from 30 outings.

Match preview

Braga were denied a fourth consecutive Primera Liga victory for the first time this season when they were held to an uneventful goalless draw by a resilient Estoril Praia side last Monday.

This followed a quarter-final exit from the Europa League as they suffered a 3-1 extra-time defeat at the hands of Rangers two Thursdays ago despite their 1-0 victory in the reverse leg on March 4.

Carlos Carvalhal's side, who have already secured their place in next season's Conference League, head into Monday's game unbeaten in all but one of their last nine league outings, claiming five wins and three draws in that time.

With 16 wins, eight draws and six losses from their 30 games so far, Braga have picked up 56 points to sit fourth in the Primeira Liga standings, nine points above fifth-placed Gil Vicente in the final European qualification spot.

Elsewhere, Porto continued their hunt for a domestic double as they booked their place in the Taca de Portugal final courtesy of a 1-0 victory over rivals Sporting Lisbon in the second leg of their semi-final clash last Thursday.

With a first-leg victory already in the bag, Toni Martinez struck the only goal of the game at the Estadio do Dragao to hand the hosts a 3-1 aggregate victory and send Ruben Amorim's side packing.

Porto now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they have enjoyed an unbeaten campaign so far and are currently on a run of six consecutive victories since February's 1-1 draw with Gil Vicente.

Conceicao's men currently sit top of the league standings after picking up 82 points from 30 games and could clinch their 30th league title with a win on Monday given their healthy nine-point cushion over second-placed Sporting Lisbon.

With four games left to play, the Dragoes will also be eying their best-ever point tally in the Portuguese top flight as they are currently just six points adrift of their 2017-18 title-winning campaign where they finished with 88 points.

Team News

Braga remains without the services of Iuri Medeiros, who has seven goals and six assists to his name in the league, after the 27-year-old forward missed the trip to Estoril Praia through injury.

However, Carvalhal's side will be boosted by the return of fellow forward Vitor Tormena, who is now available for selection after serving a one-match suspension for receiving his marching orders in the game against Vizela two Sundays ago.

Other names on the Os Arcebispos injury list include the Portuguese duo of Roger Fernandes and Nuno Sequeira, who have been ruled out through muscle and knee injuries respectively.

As for Porto, Mateus Uribe, who has made 24 appearances in the Primeira Liga this season, continues his spell on the sidelines after coming off injured in the game against Santa Clara on April 4.

Twenty-five-year-old midfielder Bruno Costa picked up an injury in March's Europa League clash with Lyon, while Portuguese full-back Wilson Manafa misses out through a leg injury that has kept him out of action since last December.

Taremi has been a pivotal in the Dragoes title charge, registering 18 goals and 12 assists in 28 league appearances and we expect to see the 29-year-old in attack, alongside Evanilson and Fabio Vieira, for the third game on the trot.

Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Tormena, Carmo, Oliveira; Moura, F Silva, Al Musrati, A Horta; R Horta, Ruiz, Tormena

Porto possible starting lineup:
D Costa; Sanusi, Pepe, Mbemba, Mario; Pepe, Vitinha, Grujic; Vieira, Otavio, Taremi

We say: Braga 0-2 Porto

Porto have enjoyed a sensational domestic campaign this season and are now closing in on a record-breaking title triumph. Considering their contrasting form, and the gulf in quality between both teams, we are tipping the Dragoes to end their winless run at the Estadio Braga Municipal and come away with their first victory since 2019.

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