The action continues in round nine of the Portuguese Primeira Liga when Gil Vicente and Braga go head to head at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Saturday.

Gil Vicente head into the weekend fresh off the back of reaching the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal, while the visitors will be looking to bounce back from their Champions League defeat against Real Madrid.

Match preview

The Gilistas turned in an impressive show of fighting spirit last Sunday when they came from behind to pick up a 2-1 victory over Belenenses in their Taca de Portugal round-three clash.

Midana Sambu opened the scoring inside the opening 180 seconds to put the hosts in front before Roko Baturina and Kanya Fujimoto netted second-half goals to turn the game around at the Estadio do Restelo.

Manager Vitor Campelos will hope that the cup win can serve as a springboard for a fine run of form as his side turn their sight to the Primeira Liga, where they have struggled for consistency this season, losing six of their first nine matches across all competitions.

However, they will fancy their chances of claiming back-to-back wins for the first time since March as they return to the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos, where they have won five of their last six matches, with a 3-2 loss against Benfica on August 26 being the exception.

With nine points from eight league matches, Gil Vicente, who finished 13th in the Primeira Liga last season, are currently ninth in the league standings, level on points with 10th-placed Casa Pia.

Braga, on the other hand, were sent crashing back to earth in the Champions League as they fell to a 2-1 loss against Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid at the Estadio Braga Municipal on Tuesday.

Having suffered a 2-1 defeat against Napoli in their Group C opener on September 20, Artur Jorge's men got their quest for European glory up and running two weeks later courtesy of a 3-2 victory over Union Berlin.

However, first-half goals from Rodrygo and in-form Englishman Jude Bellingham set Real Madrid on their way to all three points in Portugal before Alvaro Djalo pulled one back in the 63rd minute.

Prior to that, Braga were on a five-game winning streak, including three consecutive victories in the Primeira Liga and a 2-0 win over Rebordosa in the Taca de Portugal on October 19.

Os Arcebispos now return to action in the Primeira Liga, where they have picked up five wins, one draw and lost two of their opening eight games to collect 16 points and sit fourth in the table, level on points with fifth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Braga will be backing themselves to return to winning ways and continue their fine league form as they take on an opposing side against whom they are unbeaten in their 18 meetings, claiming 12 wins and four draws since September 2011.

Team News

Gil Vicente remain without the services of 27-year-old Ali Alipour, who continued his lengthy spell on the sidelines after coming off injured in February's game against Famalicao.

He is joined on the Gilistas' injury table by 32-year-old goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk, who has also been out of action since February through a severe muscle problem.

Fujimoto was involved in both goals in last Sunday's comeback and the Japanese midfielder, who now has seven goal involvements across all competitions this season, will be one to look out for.

Ricardo Horta, who has five goals and two assists in six league games this season, scored the winner when Braga picked up a narrow 1-0 victory against Gil Vicente back in April.

He should lead the Os Arcebispos attack this weekend, teaming up with Rodrigo Zalazar, Djalo and French striker Simon Banza, who has six goals in the league this season.

On the injury front, Jorge will be unable to call upon the services of Spanish defender Vitor Gomez, who is set to sit out his fifth straight game after coming off injured against Estrela Amadora on September 28.

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Ze Carlos, Pereira, Fernandes, Buta; Neto, Tiba; Souza, Fujimoto, Correia; Aurelio

Braga possible starting lineup:
Lima; Mendes, Fonte, Saatci, Marin; Carvalho, Al-Musrati; Zalazar, Horta, Djalo; Banza

We say: Gil Vicente 1-2 Braga

Fresh off the back of a narrow loss against Real Madrid, Braga will head into the weekend looking to find their feet and continue their surge to the top of the league table. Jorge's side boast the firepower needed to get the job done and we are backing them to return to winning ways.

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