In-form Union Berlin ready for Europa League showdown with Braga
Union Berlin vs Sporting Braga - 27/10/2022
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Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin welcome Portuguese side Braga to the German capital on Thursday, with both sides aiming to secure qualification from Europa League Group D.
As we head into Matchday 5, the teams are separated by a solitary point. Second-place Braga have seven points to their name, while third-place Union have six.
With first-place Union Saint-Gilloise on ten points, both Union and Braga remain in contention for the knockout phase. But who will come out on top?
Union Berlin started their Europa League campaign with back-to-back defeats against Union Saint-Gilloise (0-1) and Braga (1-0).
However, they bounced back with a couple of 1-0 wins over Malmo – meaning all four of their Europa League clashes have produced a solitary goal.
Boasting a record of seven wins, two draws and two losses, Union find themselves atop the Bundesliga table – one point clear of Bayern Munich.
Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Bochum last time out, Union will be confident of returning to winning ways when Braga visit Berlin.
On the flip side, Braga kicked off their Europa League campaign with back-to-back victories over Malmo (0-2) and Union (1-0).
Since then, however, they have taken just one point from two games against Union Saint-Gilloise – losing 1-2 before drawing 3-3.
When you look at the bigger picture, the Portuguese outfit have only managed to win one of their previous six away games in the Europa League.
Braga sit second in Liga Portugal Bwin – six points behind Benfica – after winning seven of their ten domestic games. That said, they have lost two of their last three.
Head-to-head: Union and Braga met for the very first time last month, with Braga claiming a 1-0 victory on home soil.
Braga enjoyed 55% possession and completed 469 passes, while Union managed 381 passes. However, both sides registered 12 shots.
Team news: Union forward Sheraldo Becker has bagged seven goals and five assists in 17 games across all competitions this term. Naturally, the hosts will aim to play through him on Thursday.
As for Braga, their danger man is Vitinha, who has racked up eight goals and three assists in 15 outings this term – including four goals and one assist in the Europa League.
Although Braga beat Union in Portugal last month, the Germans are expected to gain their revenge on home soil this time around.
Forebet predicts that Union Berlin will claim all three points on Thursday, scoring over 1.5 goals while keeping a clean sheet.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UEL
402436
1
2 - 0
1.97
16°
1.75
1.75
3.75
4.20
no
no
no
1 - 0(0 - 0)
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