Sporting Braga to take big step toward EL group stage
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Sporting Braga host Russian Premier League team Spartak Moscow at the Estadio Municipal de Braga on Thursday night for the first leg of their Europa League playoff round tie.
The Portuguese team entered the Europa League in the third qualifying round. There, they defeated Brondby 7-3 on aggregate. Both legs of the tie ended with over 2.5 goals and both teams scored.
Spartak Moscow also entered the competition at the third-round stage. The Russians defeated Switzerland’s FC Thun 5-3 on aggregate. Both legs ended with over 2.5 goals scored and both teams found the back of the net.
The Russian team is six matches into its domestic season. Manager Oleg Kononov’s team is fourth in the Russian Premier League with a 3W-2D-1L record. Four of Spartak Moscow’s matches have seen over 1.5 goals scored. In addition, Spartak Moscow have kept two clean sheets in Russia.
Their defensive form was far different in the Europa League third qualifying round. Spartak Moscow conceded at least one goal in each leg of the tie.
Sporting Braga head into the match after losing to Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese Liga. Abel Ferreira’s side outshot Sporting Lisbon 21-11 and kept 52% possession yet couldn’t find an equaliser.
Paulinho and Wilson Eduardo go into the playoff round in good form. The Sporting Braga duo has tallied a combined four goals in the Portuguese Liga and Europa League combined.
Sporting Braga have a number of players suffering from injuries. Five players are on the physio’s table, however, all could return in time to play on Thursday night at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.
Stefan Ristovski, Bruno Gaspar, Jovane Cabral, Valentin Rosier, and Rodrigo Battaglia are all back in training and could play a part against Spartak Moscow. Although they are all back in Ferreira’s training sessions, they may not be fully match fit for such an important first leg fixture.
Spartak Moscow manager Kononov has no new reported injuries or suspensions. Forward Zelimkhan Bakayev goes into the fixture in good form for Spartak Moscow having scored two goals in two Europa League matches.
Thursday night’s match should see Sporting Braga take the upper-hand in front of their home fans. The Portuguese team racked up the goals in their third qualifying round match against Brondby and should do it once more. Thursday night’s match will see them tally over 2.5 goals in Portugal.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UEL
482923
1
3 - 1
3.17
22°
1.62
1.62
3.95
5.14
1
-1
-1
1 - 0(0 - 0)
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