Braga vs Napoli Prediction: Champions League Match on 20.09.2023

Braga will host Italian Champions on Wednesday for a UEFA Champions League Group C clash. Kicking off at 19:00GMT, the match will see both sides look for an opening win as they jostle for control in the group.

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Key Highlights

Braga’s Mixed Start to their Season in the Primeira Liga

Braga have not been setting the world alight in the Primeira Liga in the season’s opening matches. In the five rounds of Primeira Liga fixtures they have played, they have won twice, drawn twice, and lost once.

Braga collected 7 points and sit 7th on the table, 6 points behind leaders Porto. Braga have been good going forward; they have scored 10 goals in five matches, which is higher than leaders Porto’s 8 goals. 

However, Braga have also conceded 10 goals, which has negated their attacking play and threat in games. 

Artur Jorge will look to find solutions to his defensive fragility ahead of hosting Napoli. Gaining robustness will have to come without affecting their attacking threat, which they will need against an attacking side like Rudi Garcia’s Napoli.

Napoli’s Poor Form in Recent Matches

After a fast start to their title defense in Serie A with wins in the opening two matches, Napoli have gone off the boil in the last two matches, losing one and drawing another.

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Their start means that they have collected 7 points from the available 12. They are currently 5th on the Serie A table, 5 points behind leaders Inter Milan. 

Rudi Garcia will look to address their poor form when they visit Braga on Wednesday as he looks to ensure that they do not lose any ground any further. 

Napoli have scored eight goals and conceded five times, they will look to gain some solidity and balance when they face Braga on Wednesday.

Injury Report

Braga

Braga will not call on the services of center-back Sikou Niakate. The 24-year-old is sidelined with an unknown injury. He has missed three matches for Braga in the nascent season so far.

The rest of the squad will be available for selection as Artur Jorge prepares his side in readiness for the home clash against the Serie A reigning champions on Wednesday.

Napoli

Rudi Garcia is in a good position regarding the fitness of his squad ahead of the trip to Braga on Wednesday.

The niggling injury issues in the Napoli camp have cleared up and the availability of most of his key members of the matchday squad will come as a boost for the gaffer as he bids to pick the strongest possible team to face Braga.

Possible Lineups

Braga

Matheus; C. Borja, P. Oliveira, J. Fonte, V. Gomez; J. Moutinho, Al-Misrati; Bruma, R. Horta, A. Djalo; S. Banza

Napoli

A. Meret; M. Rui, Juan, L. S. Ostigard, G. Di Lorenzo; P. Zielinski, S. Lobotka, A. Anguissa; K. Kvaratskhelia, V. Osimhen, E. Elsmas.

Prediction

The two sides have been in mixed form with mixed results in the last few matches in their respective domestic leagues. Napoli are feeling the weight of trying to retain the Serie A title early on while Braga have not had the best of starts in their Primeira Liga assault.

Braga, playing at home, will look to be proactive in their approach. They will play patiently from the back look to dominate the ball in the middle of the pack,. And progressively pass to create chances in the final third.

Napoli will stick to their identity of high pressing, counter-pressing, dominating the ball, and using fast passing and pace in attack to penetrate the defensive lines and create chances.

Napoli will have too much for Braga. They will win away from home and get off to a winning start in Group C.

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