In a top-of-the-table clash in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, Sporting host Braga at the Estádio José Alvalade on Saturday.Sporting bounced back well from their first loss of the campaign against Santa Clara with a 2-0 win at Vizela in the previous outing. However, they find themselves three points behind league leaders Porto.Braga have hit a poor run of form recently and lost 1-0 to Maritimo at home in their previous outing. It was their fourth loss in seven games across all competitions.Liga Portugal@ligaportugalSaltos , descida e houve ainda quem mantivesse tudo igual.Que sentido seguiu o teu clube na tabela #LigaPortugalbwin? #LigaPortugal #criatalento #createstalent #futebolcomtalento #marcaomundo8:54 AM · Jan 18, 2022282Saltos ⬆, descida ⬇ e houve ainda quem mantivesse tudo igual.Que sentido seguiu o teu clube na tabela 📊#LigaPortugalbwin? #LigaPortugal #criatalento #createstalent #futebolcomtalento #marcaomundo https://t.co/S9Tzt1xe4rSporting vs Braga Head-to-HeadThere have been 71 meetings between the two sides across all competitions since 1990. As expected, the hosts hold the upper hand in this fixture with 44 wins to their name while 20 games have gone Braga's way. The spoils have been shared just seven times between the two sides, with the last draw being played in 2017.They last met in league action earlier this season at the Estádio Municipal de Braga in August. The game ended in a 2-1 win for Leões. Sporting form guide (all competitions): W-W-L-W-WBraga form guide (all competitions): L-D-W-L-WSporting vs Braga Team NewsSporting Jovane Cabral has resumed training following a knee injury but his involvement in the game remains doubtful. Pedro Porro has also been ruled out with a hamstring issue.Nuno Santos has been awarded a one-game suspension following an incident against Vizela fans on the sidelines.Sporting Clube de Portugal 🏆@Sporting_CPNós em campo, vocês nas bancadas Sábado temos encontro marcado em Alvalade SC Braga | 🗓️ 22/1 | 20h30 | bit.ly/3rsktjQ#OndeVaiUmVãoTodos4:30 AM · Jan 19, 2022100959Nós em campo, vocês nas bancadas 💚 Sábado temos encontro marcado em Alvalade 📝🆚 SC Braga | 🗓️ 22/1 | ⏰ 20h30 | 🎫 bit.ly/3rsktjQ#OndeVaiUmVãoTodos https://t.co/Y8Tt1NqcCEInjured: Pedro PorroDoubtful: Jovane CabralSuspended: Nuno SantosBraga David Carmo, Leonardo Buta, Nuno Sequeira, Lucas Mineiro and Wenderson Galeno are ruled out with injuries for the trip to Lisbon. Tiago Sá and Francisco Moura tested positive for COVID-19 last week and their involvement here remains doubtful.Yan Couto was the latest player to test positive for COVID-19 and is set to miss the game.Injured: David Carmo, Leonardo Buta, Nuno Sequeira, Lucas Mineiro, Wenderson GalenoDoubtful: Tiago Sá, FranciscoUnavailable: Yan Couto (COVID-19)Suspended: NoneSporting vs Braga Predicted XISporting CP Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Antonio Adan; Sebastián Coates, Goncalo Inacio, Matheus Reis; Ricardo Esgaio, Daniel Braganca, Gonçalo Esteves, Joao Palhinha; Pedro Goncalves, Pablo Sarabia; PaulinhoSporting Braga predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Matheus; Diogo Leite, Bruno Rodigues, Paulo Oliveira; Roger Fernandes, Andre Horta, Andre Castro, Jean-Baptiste Gorby; Iuri Medeiros, Ricardo Horta; Abel RuizSporting vs Braga PredictionSporting have the best defensive record in the league, having let in just 10 goals while the visitors have conceded 19 goals this term. Sporting are unbeaten at home this term and it is unlikely that Braga will break that that streak here.Prediction: Sporting 2-1 Braga.