Moreirense begin their campaign under new coach Vasco Costa with a new-look 4-3-3, but the season opener pits them against a Braga side that has made the trip a fortress in recent meetings — nine wins from the last ten across all competitions, including a 1-0 victory here in…
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Sign inMoreirense kick off the 2026-27 Primeira Liga campaign with a home clash against SC Braga on Sunday evening. The hosts will be without suspended defender Maracas, while Dinis Pinto is a doubt with a shoulder injury, leaving the backline stretched against a Braga side with no reported fitness concerns.
Moreirense are forced into at least one defensive change. Centre-back Maracas serves a one-match suspension after a direct red card carried over into the new season, ruling him out of the opener. Right-back Dinis Pinto is also a major doubt after suffering a shoulder problem, with an expected return date of 7 August – just two days before kick-off – making his involvement unlikely.
Braga, by contrast, have a clean bill of health. There are no injuries or suspensions reported, giving head coach Carlos Carvalhal a full squad to choose from as they target a fast start on the road.
The Moreira de Cónegos outfit finished a comfortable 11th last season, well clear of the relegation places but never threatening the top half. Stability has been the hallmark of their recent Primeira Liga campaigns, and the summer will have been about retaining that solidity while adding a touch more firepower. Facing a Champions League-chasing opponent on the opening weekend is a stern test of their readiness, especially with a makeshift defence.
Braga once again finished fourth in 2025-26, securing a Europa League spot and continuing their status as the best of the rest behind the traditional Big Three. The ambition is clear: to close the gap on Sporting, Porto and Benfica and force their way into the Champions League conversation. An opening-day trip to a compact, organised Moreirense side is the kind of fixture Braga must navigate efficiently if they are to mount a serious top-three challenge. Expect them to dominate possession and try to move the ball quickly in the final third.
Without Maracas, Moreirense lose their most physical presence at the back. The likely replacement will need to step into a high-pressure role immediately, dealing with Braga’s fluid attacking movement. Dinis Pinto’s potential absence on the right flank further weakens the hosts’ ability to contain Braga’s wide players. Braga’s creative midfielders and forwards will look to exploit any hesitation in the reshuffled backline, making the opening exchanges crucial for the home side’s survival.
Moreirense will hope to frustrate and perhaps snatch something on the counter, but the spotlight is on whether their patched-up defence can hold out long enough to make that plan work. The outcome will set the tone for both clubs’ early-season momentum, with Braga facing a quick turnaround to their next league fixture and Moreirense seeking a platform to build on before a potentially tricky run of games.
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