Braga welcome Boavista to the Estadio Municipal de Braga on Wednesday, in a game of major importance at both ends of the Primeira Liga table.

The hosts have a chance to break into the top three with a victory on Wednesday, while Boavista will look to continue their rise up the table and away from the drop zone with a result to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

Match preview

Braga have suffered their worst run of the season in recent weeks, having won just two of their last six league games.

As a result, they have failed to capitalise on Benfica's defeat last time out, and remain two points behind As Aguias in third place.

In their last game, Carlos Carvalhal's side were held to a goalless draw by Rio Ave, with the 13th-placed side reduced to 10 men for the final 15 minutes as Gelson Dala was sent off.

Before that, Os Arcebispos again played out a somewhat underwhelming draw, as Nicolas Gaitan's opener at home to Belenenses was cancelled out by a Mateo Cassierra equaliser on the hour mark, forcing them to settle for a point.

While they have dropped points in disappointing fashion recently, the top three remains in touching distance for Carvalhal's side, and a win on Wednesday would move them above Benfica, at least until As Aguias return to league action on Thursday.

That will not be straightforward though, as they welcome a Boavista side who have recently climbed out of the drop zone thanks to a major upturn in form.

Jesualdo Ferreira's side have hugely boosted their chances of survival in recent weeks, having picked up seven points from their last three games in the top flight.

In their last game, As Panteras picked up an impressive 2-0 victory at home to fifth-placed Pacos de Ferreira, as Yusupha Njie opened the scoring before Angel Gomes doubled their lead from the penalty spot on the stroke of half time.

That followed a 2-0 victory away at Belenenses and a dramatic 3-3 draw with Rio Ave, as Ferreira's side were unfortunate to be held to a draw by an injury-time equaliser from Fabio Coentrao.

As a result of their recent improvement, Os Axadrezados have moved up to 14th spot in the Portuguese top flight, with a six-point gap between themselves and the bottom two after the previously sat in the automatic drop zone.

While that is a much better situation for Ferreira and his side, their work is by no means done yet, and he will want to make sure that they continue to pick up results to increase that gap and confirm their survival, starting with what would be another impressive result on Wednesday.

Team News

Braga will remain without centre-back David Carmo for this game, while left-back Francisco Moura and winger Iuri Medeiros both continue lengthy spells out of action through injury.

However, they will be boosted by the return of experienced right-back Ricardo Esgaio, who served a suspension last time out for accumulating five league yellow cards.

Carvalhal has struggled to find a consistent forward line in recent weeks, with the likes of Abel Ruiz, Lucas Piazon and Andraz Sporar all failing to impress since Os Arcebispos' dip in form.

Ali Musrati and Nicolas Gaitan will both be pushing for returns to the starting side after they were dropped to the bench last time out, with Carvalhal potentially reverting back to the familiar midfield pairing of Musrati and Fransergio.

Boavista will welcome left-back Yanis Hamache back to action for this game, after he served a suspension last time out for a red card shown in the draw with Rio Ave.

Attacker Yusupha Njie will come into this game with plenty of confidence, having netted three goals in his last two appearances.

He could partner Alberth Elis in a front two, boosted by the threat of Angel Gomes from midfield.

At the other end of the pitch, Chidozie Awaziem, Adil Rami and Cristian Devenish will form the back three, having picked up another clean sheet last time out.

They are not expected to face many injury concerns on Wednesday, other than Miguel Reisinho's long-term ligament rupture.

Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Tormena, Rolando, Sequeira; Esgaio, Fransergio, Musrati, Galeno; Horta, Ruiz, Gaitan

Boavista possible starting lineup:
Leonardo; Devenish, Rami, Awaziem; Cannon, Santos, Sauer, Gomes, Hamache; Elis, Njie

We say: Braga 1-1 Boavista

We think Boavista could extend their strong run with another commendable result on Wednesday, taking advantage of Braga's poor run of form and lack of momentum.

The Archbishops have struggled to put victories on the board for one of the first times this season, and we see them dropping points again as they take on a resilient Boavista outfit.

Previews by email