Nacional v Braga: European push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Nacional host Braga in Liga Portugal at Estádio da Madeira on Saturday, 28 February 2026, with the visitors targeting European consolidation and the hosts seeking breathing space in the relegation battle.

Braga have dominated recent meetings, including a 4-2 cup win in November, though Nacional won the league encounter in September away from home.

Form points to momentum for Carlos Vicens' side: four wins in their last five league games, including 5-0 against Alverca, 4-0 at AVS and 3-0 over Rio Ave, with only a slip at Gil Vicente. Luís Freire's men have one win in five and failed to score in three of those, losing to Porto and Arouca.

The visitors' profile is control and incision: 63% average possession, 87.37% pass accuracy and 48 league goals, with nine clean sheets. Ricardo Horta and Rodrigo Zalazar have contributed 12 and 11 league goals respectively. Nacional average 45% possession, 27 scored and 34 conceded, with Jesús Andrés Ramírez on 13 league goals. Braga have also converted penalties reliably this season, which could matter if they force pressure in the box.

Set-up wise, the hosts may lean on wide service and aerial strength, having delivered 266 open-play crosses and won 410 aerial duels, to unsettle a well-organised Braga defence. The visitors' fluency in possession could stretch Nacional's back line if they establish territory early.

A win would move Braga to 45 points and further cement fourth place in the European spots. Three points for Nacional would take them to 24 and could push them further clear of the relegation places. Draws or defeats would keep both broadly where they are, with opposite pressures unchanged.