Braga vs Royale Union SG prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-05 19:00.
After both picking up maximum points so far, early pacesetters Sporting Braga and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise will battle it out in UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group D to maintain their unbeaten records and take one step closer to the knockout stage. For the hosts, it’s the ideal opportunity to bounce back after suffering a 4-1 domestic hammering to Porto at the weekend, a shock result given Braga had kept a clean sheet in seven of their last eight matches prior to that (W8), two of which came in this competition.
Relatively speaking, Braga are dab hands in this competition and their 1-0 success last time out against Union Berlin was their 34th UEL victory, meaning only three sides have won more matches in Europe’s second-tier tournament. They’ve proven particularly tough to beat on home soil and will now aim to make it 12 group stage home matches without a loss when Royale Union come to town (W7, D4).
That won’t be an easy feat though against a Royale Union side who came from behind twice in the last round to beat Malmö 3-2 and maintain their 100% record. They’re European debutants and were actually only promoted back to Belgium’s top division in 2021 following a 49-year absence, therefore it’s fair to say that Karel Geraerts’ men are establishing themselves as the surprise package of the tournament so far.
If they can win here, then Royale Union will achieve four straight competitive wins for the first time since December last year, and given they’ve scored before the 20th minute in each of their last three matches, don’t be surprised to see them explode fast out of the blocks and put their hosts under some early pressure.
Players to watch: VĂtor Manuel Carvalho Oliveira boasts three goal contributions (G2, A1) across his last three competitive Braga matches, and each came after the 75th minute. Royale Union opponent Teddy Teuma is his side’s primary set-piece taker and boasts seven goal contributions (G3, A4) across his last eight appearances for club and country.
Hot stat: Braga have drawn four of their six games against teams from Belgium (W1, L1), with both teams scoring in five of those.