Real Madrid will travel to the Estadio Municipal de Braga on Tuesday to go one on one with the hosts Braga in matchday three of the Champions League Group C matches. The clash will kick off at 19:00 GMT.
Key Highlights
Braga’s Resurgent Form
Braga have won their last three matches in the Primeira Liga. They have shown their form and high-level confidence ahead of hosting Real Madrid.
They will hope to convert their domestic form into a home win against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Real Madrid’s Winning Start in Group C
Real Madrid have won the opening two matches in Group C. They have scored four goals and conceded twice on their way to six points.
Domestically, Real Madrid are at the top of La Liga in a relatively good start to the season with eight wins, one draw and one defeat.
Real Madrid will look to make it three consecutive wins in Group C when they visit Braga on Tuesday.
Injury Report
Braga
Braga will be without right-back Victor Gomez. The 23-year-old fullback is sidelined with a muscle injury he suffered on September 29th. Gomez has missed the last three matches for Braga, and he is unlikely to be available for the home clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Bet hereThe manager will look to make maximum use of his squad in the clash against Real Madrid. The tactical flexibility and approach are enhanced before the match by the fact that only Victor Gomez is sidelined with injury, a boost for the manager as he plots a way of getting something from the home match against Los Blancos.
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti will breathe a sigh of relief as the injury challenges have eased at Real Madrid ahead of a pivotal period of the season. Only two players will be unavailable for selection for Real Madrid in their trip to Braga on Tuesday.
Long-term absentee, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, is still unavailable for selection as he recovers from the cruciate ligament tear he suffered in August 10. The Belgian has missed the last 34 matches for Real Madrid as he undergoes rehabilitation.
Center-back Eder Militao is also out injured in the long-term for Real Madrid. The 25-year-old tore his cruciate ligament three days after Courtois tore his. This means that Militao has missed 33 matches for Real Madrid. Club physicians and the medical team have estimated March 13th as the return date for the center-back.
Carlo Ancelotti will look to re-jig his side ahead of the trip to Braga as he balances La Liga action with the Champions League, ensuring that the starting 11 he picks will have the freshness and energy to fight aggressively for the win over the Liga Portuguese side on Tuesday.
Possible Lineups
Braga
Matheus; J. Mendes, J. Fonte, S. Saatci, A. Marin; R. Salazar, Al Musrati; A. Djalo, Pizzi, Bruma; S. Banza
Real Madrid
K. Arrizabalaga; F. Mendy, D. Alaba, A. Rudiger, D. Carvajal; A. Tchouameni; T. Kroos, F. Valverde; J. Bellingham; V. Junior, Rodrygo
Prediction
Braga will look to retain their identity and play on the front foot, dominate the ball, play from the back, and look to use their short passing game to open the Real Madrid rearguard and create chances.
They will adopt this approach at the risk of being caught on the counterattack by the fast transitions by Real Madrid, especially the pace they have in the attacking end of their team.
Carlo Ancelotti and Rela Madrid will look to play on the front foot as well, dominate the ball, and control the tempo of the match from the middle of the pack.
However, they will be pragmatic and ensure that they are not too open and vulnerable to transition attacks by Braga.
Real Madrid will have too much for Braga; they will win the away match and take all the three points, making it three consecutive wins in Group C.
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