Both looking to secure their spot in the league phase of UEFA's second-tier club competition, Braga and Rapid Vienna will clash at Estadio Municipal de Braga on Thursday night in the Europa League playoffs.
The Archbishops are coming into this match following a positive start to the term, whilst the Green and Whites are also shaping up nicely this summer.
Match preview
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At the end of a dramatic 2023-24 Primeira Liga campaign, Braga ended up as the best of the rest in Portugal's top flight, finishing fourth, five points ahead of fifth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes yet a whopping 22 points adrift of title-winning Sporting Lisbon, who were a forced to be reckoned with.
As a result, the Archbishops entered the qualifying rounds of the Europa League earlier in their summer schedule, edging past the attentions of Israeli side Maccabi Petach Tikva and Servette of Switzerland to reach the playoff stage, meaning that Braga are now just 180 minutes away from the league phase.
As well successful evenings on the continental stage, Thursday's hosts have also made an unbeaten start to the 2024-25 Primeira Liga term, sharing the spoils with Estrela da Amadora on August 11 before a solitary strike from summer arrival Roberto Fernandez secured victory at Boavista on the weekend.
Following a three-month spell at the helm of Greek giants Olympiacos between December and February, Carlos Carvalhal is now in charge of the Archbishops as they aim to make waves on European waters this season, with the 58-year-old having coaching experience in England from his days at Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City.
Braga were amongst the elite of continental football during the 2023-24 term as they competed in the group stage of the Champions League, with the Portuguese outfit finishing third in a section containing eventual winners Real Madrid, Napoli and competition newcomers Union Berlin.
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As is the case with Thursday's hosts, Rapid Vienna have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their 2024-25 schedule, managing eight contests without defeat across the Austrian Bundesliga, Austria Cup and Europa League qualification, with the latter leading them to a two-legged affair against Braga.
Dominating possession and creating the lion's share of the chances at Allianz Stadion on Sunday afternoon, the Green and Whites secured a two-goal victory over Bundesliga minnows WSG Tirol, with strikes either side of the half-time whistle from Dion Drena Beljo and Serge Raux Yao securing maximum points for the hosts.
Rapid Vienna have battled through two rounds and four matches of Europa League qualifying to reach the playoffs against Primeira Liga outfit Braga, smashing Polish side Wisla Krakow 8-2 on aggregate before earning a 3-0 win over two legs against Trabzonspor of Turkey.
Securing a summer move from Ligue 2 side Rodez, Serge Raux Yao will be relishing the opportunity to feature on the Europa League stage this season and should start at centre-back on Thursday night for the visitors.
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Team News
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After finding the net in the Primeira Liga on the weekend, 22-year-old sensation Fernandez could be handed the chance to impress for Braga in the Europa League.
Such an opportunity for the young Spaniard would likely keep Amine El Ouazzani on the bench, with the Moroccan scoring in the 2-1 win over Servette on August 15.
Rapid Vienna are set to be without the services of Bernhard Zimmermann, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury at the end of April last season.
Suffering the same fate in February, winger Thierry Gale remains in the medical room for the Greens and Whites, with the youngster targeting a return next month.
Nursing a muscle issue, Noah Bischof is still a few weeks away from action, further restricting the visitors' options in attacking areas.
Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Gomez, Niakate, Arrey-Mbi, Marin; Carvalho, Zalazar, Moutinho; Horta, Bruma, Fernandez
Rapid Vienna possible starting lineup:
Hedl; Bolla, Cvetkovic, Yao, Auer; Grgic, Sangare, Seidl, Schaub, Jansson; Burgstaller
We say: Braga 2-1 Rapid Vienna
Enjoying a flying start to their competitive action this summer, Braga should be confident of recording a win in front of their home faithful on Thursday night.
Rapid Vienna are also unbeaten so far this season but are set to face a difficult assignment as they travel to the base of the Archbishops for the first leg.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
