Royale Union SG vs Braga prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-22 20:00.
[p]Royale Union Saint-Gilloise made a poor start to their UEFA Europa League (UEL) campaign but winning their last two league phase games means they’re in contention for the play-offs (W2, D2, L2). As the Belgians have only lost one of their last 16 fixtures in all competitions (W10, D5), they’ll have high hopes of playing European knockout football for a third consecutive season after returning to continental competition in 2022/23.[/p]
[p]They have an excellent record in UEL group/league phase matches at home to draw upon, going undefeated across their last six such games (W3, D3) against the likes of Liverpool, Nice and Roma. Braga, their next opponents, were their second ever UEL visitors back in 2022, holding them to a 3-3 draw in what remains the only previous time they’ve hosted a Portuguese club.[/p]
[p]Braga lost the reverse fixture 2-1 so they possess a negative H2H record (D1, L1) and they have one point fewer than their hosts, going into the matchday just outside of the play-off qualification places (W2, D1, L3). Two straight wins in domestic action should boost their confidence as they look to move on from their 3-0 hammering by Roma in their previous UEL outing.[/p]
[p]They’ve drawn the majority of their past meetings with Belgian clubs anywhere (W1, D5, L2), with their four previous visits to the country all ending level. Given they’re winless across their last five UEL group/league phase away fixtures (D2, L3), Braga might be content with a repeat result here, even if it puts them under pressure to get a result at home to Lazio on matchday eight to make the play-offs.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Franjo Ivanović has scored seven times across Union’s last seven matches, with four of those goals coming between the 30th minute and half-time. Bruma has scored three of Braga’s seven UEL league phase goals this term, and in four of his last five goalscoring appearances in all competitions he opened the scoring.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Union’s UEL league phase games this term have produced an average of just 1.67 total goals per game. After matchday six, only Olympiacos’ figure was lower (1.33).[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]