Braga vs Bodo/Glimt prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-22 14:30.
[p]Braga’s form has tailed off in recent weeks, and they will be only too aware they cannot afford too many more slip ups if they are to automatically qualify for the UEFA Europa League (UEL) knock-out stages. The Portuguese side suffered back-to-back defeats before the international break, and only a last-gasp strike from João Moutinho spared their blushes in a 2-1 cup win over third tier side 1º Dezembro on Saturday.[/p]
[p]Carlos Carvalhal knows his side will have to improve from that game, especially as their last UEL game ended in a 3-0 loss to Olympiacos. Their home form in continental football inspires little confidence though, given Braga’s 2-1 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv last month was their first success at Estádio Municipal de Braga in the group or knockout phase of a European competition in six attempts (L5).[/p]
[p]Opponents Bodø/Glimt will be looking to extend that poor record, and they arrive in Portugal having gone unbeaten in the UEL league phase so far this season, with a 3-2 victory over Porto followed by a 0-0 draw against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. As such, supporters will rightfully be dreaming of reaching the knockout stages of a UEFA tournament for the fourth season in a row.[/p]
[p]That would be an almighty achievement for the Norwegian outfit, who are riding high at the moment. They come into this fixture on a run of only two defeats in 18 matches since mid-July (W12, D4), sit top of the Eliteserien and appear to be closing in on a fourth title in five years. The basis of their good form is a strong defence, as a goalless stalemate with Tromsø in the league on Saturday was a third clean sheet in a row (W1, D2) for Kjetil Knutsen’s side.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Rodrigo Zalazar’s goal at the weekend means he has won the last eight Braga games in which he has scored, including three UEL matches this season. Fighting him for the limelight will be Bodø/Glimt forward Kasper Høgh, who has netted ten of his last 11 goals after half-time.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Braga last six matches all contained at least three goals.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]