On Wednesday, the UEFA Europa League group stage kicks off with a match between Portuguese team Braga and Dutch club Feyenoord at the Estádio Municipal de Braga. Here’s a betting tip for this matchup that shows good potential for success.
Match preview
Braga has been strong in their Europa League journey, starting from the second qualifying round and progressing through all three stages successfully. The team, led by Carlos Vicens, is known for its consistency and solid performances in Europe, having gone seven matches unbeaten, with five of those wins.
Braga’s home performance is a major advantage. Many clubs are aware that playing against them in Portugal is challenging. They have secured six wins in their last eight home games, showcasing their strong defense and ability to take the lead early.
Feyenoord entered the European scene through the Champions League but dropped down to the Europa League after losing to Fenerbahce. While they have a notable history in the tournament, including winning it in 2002, their recent performances have been mixed. They’ve lost just one of their last seven Europa League matches, but their away game record is concerning, with no victories in 12 matches.
The team, managed by Robin van Persie, relies on an attacking trio that includes Ueda and Sliti, who can generate chances against strong opponents. However, their defense often makes errors, and they regularly concede while playing away, which remains a significant issue. Given their current performance, winning in Portugal will be tough.
Probable lineups
- Braga: Lukasz Gornicki, Victor Gomez, Gustav Lagerbielke, Leonardo Lelo, Sikou Niakate, Ricardo Horta, Rodrigo Salazar, Joao Moutinho, Jean-Baptiste Gorby, Fran Navarro, Gabri Martinez
- Feyenoord: Timon Wellenreuther, Givairo Read, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Jordan Bos, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Quinten Timber, Sam Steijn, Luciano Valente, Ayase Ueda, Anis Hadj-Moussa, Aymen Sliti.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Braga is unbeaten in their last 7 Europa League matches.
- Feyenoord has not won an away game in this competition since 2019.
- Both teams have scored in 5 of Feyenoord’s last 6 Europa League fixtures.
Prediction
Braga is generally strong at home, where they secure vital points. Feyenoord shows weaknesses when playing away, struggling with defense and attack. Based on current form and statistics, a smart bet would be “Braga with a (0) handicap” at odds of 1.72, as the Portuguese team is likely to avoid defeat.