Sporting Braga Preview

By Mark Heys
October 24 2007

Bolton Wanderers play their first game of the UEFA Cup group stages tommorow evening with Portuguese club Sporting Braga the first obstacle in their way as they look to make progress in the competition.

Managerless Bolton narrowly defeated Macedonian outfit FK Rabotnicki 2-1 over two legs last month whilst Braga overcame Hammarby of Sweden despite initially trailing from the first leg.

Both teams are on a poor run of form in their respective leagues so a cup tie would help to releive the pressure and kick start the season of the side who proves victorious.

Bolton are currently under the stewardship of caretaker manager Archie Knox with the veteran Scottish coach having took charge of the clubs away defeat against Arsenal at the weekend.

Knox does not want the top job permenantly but he is hopeful of being part of the new regime having only arrived at the Reebok Stadium from the Scottish U21 team six weeks ago.

Braga are managed by the former Charlton Athletic defender Jorge Costa and they are looking for a good result from their trip to England having lost to Vitoria Setubal and Vitoria Guimaeres either side of a goalless draw with Benfica recently.

England has never been a happy place for Braga to visit as they have lost all six of their previous trips to the United Kingdom including Tottenham Hotspur last season.

The Wanderers on the other hand have had mixed success against Portuguese opposition as they drew with the previously mentioned Guimaeres in November 2005 owing to a late goal from Portuguese-born Ricardo Vaz-Te.

Knox will be without Vaz-Te for this game though as the young striker is still troubled with a knee injury picked up in the opening day defeat against Newcastle United.

Also out are Heidar Helguson (ankle) and Blerim Dzemaili (knee) but hamstring victim Jlloyd Samuel is making good progress and could be back in the first team by the end of the month.

Ankle and thigh injuries continue to trouble Christian Wilhelmsson and Nicolas Anelka but one or both could have an outside chance of making the game against Braga.

Braga look set to include the veteran former Portuguese international Joao Pinto in their line up as well as Joao Tomas. Both men have over 800 games experience between them and could cause the Trotters problems.

DID YOU KNOW?

Former Bolton striker Mario Jardel is one of the most profilic scorers ever in the Portuguese leagues having hit well over 200 goals for the likes of Sporting Lisbon and FC Porto.

Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz-Te is the youngest ever player to turn out for Bolton in the Premiership following his debut against Middlesbrough in April 2004.

Braga have worn red ever since their former coach Josef Szabo went to watch an Arsenal match in the 1930's and appreciated what he had seen on his trip to Highbury.

Tottenham Hotspur's versatile defender Ricardo Rocha played for Braga between 1999 and 2001 making just over 80 appearances. Tiago once of Chelsea and ex-Watford winger Nordin Wooter have also played for Braga at one time or another.