Portuguese side Braga kick-off their Europa League campaign at home against Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv this Thursday and we're bringing you our predictions for the game.
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Braga vs Maccabi Tel Aviv prediction: Goals in this game for both teams?
Key Stats
- Maccabi Tel Aviv have scored in each of their last six matches.
- Over 2.5 goals have been produced in four of Braga's last six outings.
- At least three goals have been scored in four of the visitor's last six fixtures.
Correct score prediction: Braga 3-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv
Braga have scored exactly three goals in two of their last three victories but their guests haven't failed to score in any of their last six outings, hence our correct score prediction of 3-1 in favour of the home side.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Braga the bookmaker's choice
- HOME: 8/15 (1.53) – 65.2%
- DRAW: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
- AWAY: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Braga are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 65.2% and we tend to agree with the bookmakers in this one.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Never met before
Thursday's clash in Portugal will be a historic day for both clubs as this is the first time they have played against one another competitive or non-competitively.
Braga preview: Hit and miss this season
Braga sit seventh in the Primeira Liga after six games which makes for an average start to the season.
Thursday's hosts have only lost one of their last six matches in all competitions but the club have certainly struggled to cope with their league starting up at the same time they were qualifying for the Europa League.
Rodrigo Zalazar, Joao Moutinho and Robson Bambu make up the trio of players expected to miss the Maccabi Tel Aviv game due to injury.
Predicted lineup: Matheus (GK), Oliveira, Ribeiro, Niakate, Ferreira, Carvalho, Gorby, Bruma, R. Horta, Fernandez & Fernandes
UEFA Europa League 03/10/24
L
Olympiakos
3
Braga
0
Portugal Primeira Liga 29/09/24
W
Rio Ave
0
Braga
4
UEFA Europa League 26/09/24
W
Maccabi Tel Aviv
1
Braga
2
Portugal Primeira Liga 20/09/24
W
Nacional
0
Braga
3
Portugal Primeira Liga 15/09/24
L
Guimaraes
2
Braga
0
Maccabi Tel Aviv preview: 100% record in Israel
With wins in each of their last nine matches in all competitions this season, Maccabi Tel Aviv will head to Portugal with plenty of confidence.
However, the Israeli club were knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers in the opening stage by Romanian side FCSB but eased through the Europa League qualifiers against weaker opposition.
Maccabi have no fresh injury concerns or suspended players ahead of the trip to Braga this week.
Predicted lineup: Mishpati (GK), Nachmias, Stojic, Asante, Revivo, Kanichowsky, Shahar, Davida, Sissokho, Layous & Turgeman
UEFA Europa League 03/10/24
L
Midtjylland
2
Maccabi Tel Aviv
0
Israel Premier League 29/09/24
D
Ironi Tiberias
1
Maccabi Tel Aviv
1
UEFA Europa League 26/09/24
L
Braga
2
Maccabi Tel Aviv
1
Israel Premier League 22/09/24
W
MS Ashdod
0
Maccabi Tel Aviv
2
Israel Premier League 18/09/24
W
Hapoel Jerusalem FC
1
Maccabi Tel Aviv
2
Player to watch: Amine El Ouazzani
Amine El Ouazzani made the move to Braga from French side Guingamp this summer after scoring 11 goals in 38 appearances in Ligue 2.
The 23-year-old was initially brought in as a squad player but has established himself as the main striker at the club, scoring five goals across all competitions.
Braga's Moroccan forward has made a positive start to the campaign
Three of those goals arrived during qualifying for the Europa League proper and we're expecting another top performance from El Quazzani in this competition on Thursday night against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
