Man Utd Match Centre
Braga vs Man Utd Preview, Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score
Braga welcome Manchester United to Portugal in the Champions League tonight. Here is a preview with team news, likely line-ups and predicted score for the game
Manchester United travel to Braga hoping to secure their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with two games to spare.
United have already secured wins over Galatasaray, Cluj and Braga so top top Group H with a maximum 9 points and another three points tonight will ensure safe passage to the last 16.
However, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were made to work for their win over Braga a fortnight ago, having to come from 2-goals down, and the Portuguese side have an excellent record at home against English opposition, so Ferguson will know not to take them too lightly this evening.
Braga kept clean sheets during victories over Birmingham, Liverpool, Arsenal and Portsmouth during the past five years and are desperate to add United to that list as they look to push for the second qualification spot.
Team News
Defender Douglao is back in contention after missing the last two weeks with a thigh injury, however manager Jose Peseiro has a lengthy injury list to contend with heading into the game with Paulo Vinicius, Ismaily, Paulo Cesar, Carlao and Djamal are all ruled out through injury.
Sir Alex Ferguson has also had to leave behind two key players for the game, with Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes not making the trip.
Nick Powell made the squad despite sitting out training on Tuesday morning and Chris Smalling is due to take some part in the game after returning to full fitness following a spell on the sidelines with a broken metatarsal. Phil Jones, Nemanja Vidic and Shinji Kagawa all remain out.
Likely Line-ups
Predicted Score
As shown by their excellent home record against English opposition, Braga is not an easy place to visit. Sir Alex will be looking for a professional performance from his players but knows even a draw will be good enough for them, such is their dominance in this group so far. We think United will take a point away tonight. Braga 1-1 Man Utd.
What would your team be and what’s your score prediction? Get involved in the comments section.
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