After an immediate upturn in fortunes following Carlos Carvalhal's appointment at Braga, Os Arcebispos have endured an initial slump under the experienced coach, with a three-match winless streak at home and abroad seeing them shoot blanks in successive top-flight fixtures.

A goalless stalemate at Gil Vicente was followed by a 2-0 home defeat to Vitoria Guimaraes, but Os Arsenalistas bounced back with a 3-0 win over Nacional and a 2-1 Europa League victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in week six.

Thursday night's continental success required a late Bruma brace to turn the game around after Osher Davida had put the Israelis 1-0 up on the half-hour mark, and Carvalhal will be hoping his players can build on their last two victories to record a fourth league triumph this weekend.

Having won back-to-back league games this term, beating Boavista (1-0) and Moreirense (3-1) in August, Braga will be looking to end September on a high this weekend.

Precedent certainly favours the hosts, who have not lost to Sunday's visitors since June 2020 - recording four wins and two draws - and will be looking to make it five wins from seven in front of their home fans.

While no winning or losing streak can last forever, Rio Ave's form heading into this weekend's clash with Braga suggests that their six-match unbeaten run could continue.

Luis Freire's men have taken just two wins from their opening six Liga games, with three defeats and a stalemate in a 2-2 draw with Estoril in the sixth round.

The Vilacondenses will be hoping to shake off the disappointment of going 2-0 up after Kiko Bondoso and Clayton put them ahead on the hour mark, only to concede twice in four minutes to earn a draw.

Having failed to win any of their three away games this season, losing to Sporting Lisbon (3-1), Porto (2-0) and new boys AVS (1-0), Freire will be hoping his side can break this unwanted losing streak.

However, even the most optimistic of Rio Ave supporters will have little to cheer about given that the club have not won on their travels since beating Santa Clara 2-0 in March - an 18-month wait without a win away from home.

With just one league win on the road since the start of 2023, Rio Ave face an uphill task when they visit Braga's Municipal Stadium on Sunday.

Former Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho is out with a calf problem, while Robson Bambu (muscle) and Rodrigo Zalazar (thigh) are also sidelined.

Bruma will be hoping to retain his place after scoring a brace in the Europa League on Thursday and will be looking to add to his one league goal this season in support of striker Amine El Ouazzani, who has netted twice for the home side.

Only Clayton has netted more than once for Rio Ave this term, and the striker will be hoping to add to his tally of three La Liga strikes this weekend.

Freire's men had no injury problems in their recent draw and will go into this weekend's clash with a clean bill of health.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Matheus; Gomez, Niakate, Arrey-Mbi, Marin; Horta, Carvalho; Bruma, Horta, Martinez; Ouazzani

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Jhonatan; Pantalon, Santos, Panzo; Vrousai, Oudrhiri, Neto, Richards; Morais, Bondoso; Clayton

Prediction:Braga 2-1 Rio Ave

Braga VS Rio Ave stream and TV listing

Google search：Holasports