Elfsborg vs Braga prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-11-06 17:45.
[p]Elfsborg’s UEFA Europa League (UEL) League phase has been thoroughly entertaining thus far, with their three matches all being decided by a slender one-goal margin despite the net being rattled 13 times in those games. Unfortunately, they’ve ended up on the losing side twice, first away in a 3-2 defeat to AZ Alkmaar on matchday one and then a 4-3 loss to Galatasaray in their last European outing, but sandwiched in between was a historic 1-0 win over Roma that serves as their only Group/League phase victory since 2013/14.[/p]
[p]That defeat in Turkey formed part of a four-game losing streak at the time, but the Yellow Ones have turned things around with back-to-back domestic wins, both with accompanying clean sheets. That’ll have the Borås Arena faithful feeling a whole lot better ahead of the visit of Braga, a team Elfsborg have faced and beaten twice before.[/p]
[p]That was back in 2009, and since then Braga have switched the tables on Elfsborg’s compatriots with three victories and a draw in their four subsequent games against Swedish sides. Carlos Carvalhal’s men will be desperate to continue that trend as they too find themselves on three UEL points (W1, L2), after conceding in the 94th minute to lose 2-1 at home to Bodø/Glimt most recently. [/p]
[p]Prior to that, they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 on the road by Olympiacos, while they left it late themselves in round one when scoring 88th and 95th-minute goals to come from behind and beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1. Much like their hosts, the Archbishops can ill-afford many more poor results this UEL campaign, but three victories on the bounce domestically themselves means two teams with a recent uptick in form will trade blows here. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Elfsborg’s ArbĂ«r Zeneli usually makes his presence felt, having scored the game’s first or last goal in each of his previous 11 goalscoring outings at club level. Proving even more influential is Braga’s Bruma who has compiled ten goal contributions in his last nine matches (G6, A4), which includes having a hand in all three of his side’s UEL League phase goals thus far (G2, A1). [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Braga have conceded first in their last five European games. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]