Braga vs Malmo FF prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-11-02 20:00.
Braga can still finish as runners up in UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group D, but they simply must win, and hope that the now-immovable group leaders Union SG can muster up the effort to avoid defeat against Union Berlin. The mission couldâve been a lot more straightforward for Braga however, had they not lost 1-0 to Union Berlin on matchday five, a result which saw the Portuguese club surrender their top-two spot.
Second in the Primeira Liga after Sundayâs 1-0 win at Gil Vicente, Braga bear a burden of reputation, having advanced beyond the UEL group stage in each of the previous three editions. But there is some honour to restore too, with Braga losing both competitive home games played in October, following a run of four home wins âto nilâ.
Already out of Europe, and long consigned to their first finish outside the Allsvenskanâs top-three since 2015, visitors Malmö are one of just two UEL teams yet to register a point. As such, their only key to a continental return in 2023 is through the Svenska Cupen, and a 5-2 rout of Varberg at the weekend showed just what they can do when the shackles are off.
The table doesnât lie though, and all signs still point to a defeat for Malmö, who have lost three straight away games in the UEL proper since their last such win against Copenhagen back in 2019. With the club never going pointless in any of their six prior group stage appearances across all UEFA competitions, this could be a very dark night for Swedenâs most successful club, just over 42 years after their most recent victory over Portuguese opposition.
Players to watch: Including a first-half hat-trick at USG and a home winner against Union Berlin, VĂtor Oliveira still accounts for four of Bragaâs previous five UEL goals. Meanwhile Malmöâs best hope of a result may lie with Isaac Kiese Thelin, who netted second-half goals in Malmöâs two UEL trips prior to their loss against Union Berlin in mid-October.
Hot stat: None of Bragaâs four UEL home wins recorded so far in 2022 have seen over 2.5 goals.