Union Berlin – Braga : Preview & Prediction
Union Berlin’s debut in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage was admirable but unsuccessful as they held 14-time champions Real Madrid to a goalless draw for 90 minutes only to be denied a point by conceding a goal in added time. It earned praise from Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who described Union as a “very difficult” opponent and told reports that they “defended well” throughout the match.
This match against Braga could be one of the most intriguing games of the day due to the fact that these clubs met in the group stage of the last UEFA Europa League (UEL), in which Union advanced to the knockout stage at Braga’s expense. While the German side were victorious when they hosted their opponents on that occasion (1-0), their longest official losing streak (P5) since March-May 2020 simply cannot be ignored heading into this match.
Braga suffered a similar fate in their first group stage match, scoring a late goal at home to Italian champions Napoli before an 88th-minute own goal from defender Sikou Niakate condemned them to a 2-1 defeat. Having scored eight goals in 4-2 and 4-1 wins in league action prior to this UCL appearance, he will be hoping he can be a stern test for the Union defense.
Their 1-0 defeat in Berlin last season is probably a good indication of how they could fare here. In their last three campaigns at continental level, Braga have recorded just two away wins in the group stage and beyond (E2, P6). However, during that period they suffered only one defeat by more than one goal (2-0 against Sheriff Tiraspol), if you exclude the extra time of their UEL quarter-final in 2021/22 against Rangers.
Players to watch: Kevin Behrens has been responsible for four of the Union’s nine Bundesliga goals this season, with the Union winning 14 of the last 16 games in which they have found the back of the net. Bruma is likely to be Braga’s main point of reference after scoring in four of their five European games this 2023/24.
Union Berlin – Braga : Betting Tips
Union Berlin – Win Odds: 1.90
