Braga – Qarabag : Preview & Prediction
After finishing third in UEFA Champions League (UCL) Group C, Braga will now look to extend their European soccer season through the UEFA Europa League (UEL) knockout round playoffs, where they will host the first leg against Qarabag. It is the first time they will face a team from Azerbaijan, hoping to embark on a run that at least mimics their second place finish in this tournament in 2010/11.
That season they arrived on the UEL scene in exactly the same manner as this campaign, except that they managed to win three of their group matches back then (P3) compared to just one this time around (E1, P4). Known as the “Arsenalistas” due to the resemblance of their shirt to that of London’s Arsenal, Braga were experiencing an upturn in form after winning four of their last five games (E1) before last weekend, until they ran into Sporting CP, who thrashed them 5-0 in Liga Portugal.
Qarabag know all too well how to take a beating from Sporting, as they are the only Portuguese side they have faced before, when they met in Group E of the 2018/19 UEL, losing 2-0 away and 6-1 at home. Perhaps qualifying for the UEL knockout rounds for the first time after seven previous failed attempts will inspire Gurban Gurbanov’s side to new heights, after finishing second behind unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in Group H this season.
The “Horsemen” were also in good form prior to this tie, having won 12 of their 13 games (E1) before losing and drawing their last two matches. They will make the trip to the Estádio Municipal de Braga as big underdogs, but have proven to be brave in their European away games this campaign, losing only two of their seven continental away games (G4, E1).
Players to watch: Braga’s Álvaro Djaló has been in fine form in Europe this season with five goals, four of which came at home. Qarabag’s Leandro Andrade follows with four goals in Europe this campaign, and another should bring good luck to his team, considering he won 19 of 20 games in which he scored in his career (E1).
Fast Fact: Braga went in at halftime trailing in all six of his UCL group stage matches!
Braga – Qarabag : Betting Tips
Braga – Win Odds: 1.44
