Union Berlin – Braga : Preview & Prediction
While Union Berlin remain top of the Bundesliga, the humiliating 2-1 loss to Bochum, who started in last place on the day, must have hurt. Urs Fischer’s side now have the chance to make amends at home in European competition with a win that would move them ahead of Braga into second place in UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group D and into the lead going into the final matchday.
It would not be their first choice, but Union are guaranteed a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League. With head-to-head clashes being a key factor in deciding qualification if you are level on points, winning by more than the 1-0 scoreline by which the Berliners lost in Portugal seems a must, especially considering that on the final matchday Union face group leaders Royale Union and Braga face a Malmö side that has lost all four of its UEL matches.
Back-to-back wins in less than a week ended Braga’s four-game winless streak (E1, P3), but they remain six points behind leaders Benfica in the Primeira Liga, so a strong European showing is key for Artur Jorge’s side. Braga have won all three of their previous UEL clashes against German opponents and to record a fourth this time would leave the team with a safe ticket to the UEL play-offs.
Only two wins in their last nine UEL matches away from home (E2, P5) show that it won’t be easy either, but they could even be first if they win and Malmö do them a favor against Royale Union, so there will be no lack of motivation. Considering that none of those nine meetings ended with a defeat for the side that scored first, the first goal could be decisive.
Players to watch: Sheraldo Becker is one of two Union players to score in this UEL group stage, grabbing the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Malmö in Sweden. Braga’s Vítor Oliveira has been more prolific as he scored three first-half goals in his last away appearance in this competition.
Weekend stat: Union Berlin are the team with the most offside in the UEL group stage (17).
Union Berlin – Braga : Betting Tips
Braga – Win Odds: 4.25
