Portuguese side Braga will be looking for their second win in the league phase of the Europa League when they host Norwegian team Bodo/Glimt on Wednesday in their third game of the tournament at Estadio Municipal de Braga.
The Primeira Liga club are in 20th place with three points and occupy a round of 16 playoff spot, while the Eliteserien team have four points from two games and are in 14th place.
Match preview
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The hosts lost 3-0 last time out in the Europa League on October 3 against Conference League champions Olympiacos, who only created two big chances, half that of the Portuguese side.
In their previous fixture in the competition, Braga beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1 on September 26, but were arguably fortunate to have taken all three points considering they scored their equaliser in the 88th minute and their winner in the 95th minute.
Boss Carlos Carvalhal may be somewhat disappointed with his team's performances in the Primeira Liga given they are fifth and have collected 14 points after eight matchweeks, two fewer than the club managed at the same stage last term.
Carvalhal's side have conceded six goals and scored 13 times in the league, and of the 18 clubs in the top flight, these records make them the division's fifth-best defensive and fourth-best offensive team respectively.
Braga are in mixed form, as while they have won four of their last six games in all competitions, they have lost three, drawn two and won four of their nine most recent matches.
The home team's form at Estadio Municipal de Braga has been strong, with the Portuguese side winning four of their last five, as well as having won five, drawn two and lost just one of their eight fixtures at home this season.
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As for the visitors, they drew 0-0 with Union SG on October 3, a match in which the Norwegian side faced 21 shots and 17 efforts from inside the penalty area.
To Bodo/Glimt's credit, they performed admirably in their opening match of their Europa League campaign when they beat Porto 3-2 on September 25, despite playing with 10 men from the 51st minute when they were only winning 2-1.
Manager Kjetil Knutsen will be thrilled with his side's showing in the Eliteserien considering they are five points clear of second-placed Brann with just five games left to play.
Knutsen's team have drawn their last two matches 0-0, but they won 12 of the prior 16 games, though they have lost four, drawn one and won just one of their last six Europa League matches.
Bodo/Glimt's away form is also concerning, with the Norwegian side having drawn three, lost two and won one of their six most recent fixtures on the road.
Team News
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Braga will be without both centre-back Paulo Oliveira and midfielder Rodrigo Zalazar until early November, while defender Robson Bambu is a doubt due to a thigh injury.
Goalkeeper Matheus can be expected to start behind centre-backs Joao Ferreira and Sikou Niakate, with Vitor Carvalho and Andre Horta candidates to feature in a double pivot.
Wide players Bruma and Rafik Guitane may flank striker Roberto Fernandez, who started in his side's match against Rapid Vienna in late August in their first Europa League match of the 2024-25 league phase.
Meanwhile, the visitors have numerous injury absentees, including forwards Andreas Helmersen, Daniel Bassi and Samuel Burakovsky, who are all scheduled to return early next month.
Midfielders Gaute Hoberg Vetti, Syver Skundberg Skeide and Ulrik Saltnes are also not expected to return until early November, much like defenders Brice Wembangomo, Michal Tomic and Omar Elabdellaoui.
Bodo/Glimt could select Isak Dybvik Maatta, Kasper Hogh and Jens Petter Hauge to lead their attack on Wednesday, in front of a midfield three of Hakon Evjen, Patrick Berg and Sondre Fet.
Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Gomez, Ferreira, Niakate, Ribeiro; Carvalho, Horta; Guitane, Horta, Bruma; Fernandez
Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:
Haikin; Sjovold, Nielsen, Bjortuft, Bjorkan; Evjen, Berg, Fet; Maatta, Hogh, Hauge
We say: Braga 1-1 Bodo/Glimt
Braga's strong home record will likely mean that the hosts come into Wednesday's clash confident of securing a positive result.
However, while Bodo/Glimt have been poor in the Europa League, Braga have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, and it would not be surprising if both sides earned a point.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
