Rapid Wien will welcome Braga back to Austria for the second leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday, 29 August with the tie firmly in the balance.
The first leg finished 2-1 to the Portuguese outfit so a comeback for Rapid in front of their home supporters is far from out of the question, but they will have to hand to Braga their first defeat of the season if they are to complete the turnaround.
As part of our latest round of Europa League bettings tips, check out our Rapid Wien vs Braga prediction below.
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Rapid Wien vs Braga prediction: Braga to complete the double
Key stats
- Braga have won four of their five Europa League qualifying matches this season.
- Rapid Wien have lost in the playoff round in each of the last two seasons.
- Rapid Wien followed up their first leg defeat with another loss in the league.
- Braga have scored at least once in seven of their eight matches this season while Rapid Wien have scored at least once in nine of their ten.
Correct score prediction: Rapid Wien 1 -2 Braga
This was the scoreline that was good enough for Braga in the first leg and we can see a repeat in the return leg on Thursday night. The visitors boast a 100% record on the road in the Europa League this season and they showed their class last week. Rapid's frailties were further exposed this weekend with a thumping 3-0 league loss to BW Linz.
Pre-game odds and win probability: A tough match to call
- Home: 7/4 (2.75) – 36.4%
- Draw: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- Away: 7/5 (2.40) – 41.7%
The Rapid Wien vs Braga odds further illustrate how close this match is expected to be. Despite having the advantage on aggregate, and being the away team, Braga are the favourites to win on the night with Ladbrokes at a price of 7/5. Meanwhile, a win for Rapid Wien has been priced at 7/4 and the draw has been priced at 5/2.
For more football predictions over the next 24 hours, check out our free betting tips for today page.
Most recent H2Hs: A second meeting
This will be the second time that the two clubs have faced off, with the only previous encounter coming last week in Portugal.
Their lack of action against each other isn't all that surprising given that Braga haven't historically been regulars in European competition. Their first venture into Europe came in 1966 but they weren't ‘regulars' until the mid-late 2000's.
Rapid Wien first played in Europe in the 1955/56 European Cup and have remained involved ever since. Their best performance came in 1995/96 when they reached the final of the Cup Winners' Cup before losing 1-0 to PSG.
Braga preview: Ensuring their hard work doesn't go to waste
There is speculation in Portugal that Braga's early league form has suffered as a result of their early participation in Europa League qualifying this season. While that is just speculation, they won't want all their hard work since mid-July to go to waste now. Avoid defeat here and a long European campaign is on the cards.
Predicted lineup: Matheus (GK), Gomez, Arrey-Mbi, Bambu, Marin, Carvalho, Zalazar, Fernandes, Horta, Bruma & El Ouzzani
Portugal Primeira Liga 01/09/24
D
Gil Vicente
0
Braga
0
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 29/08/24
D
Rapid Vienna
2
Braga
2
Portugal Primeira Liga 25/08/24
W
Moreirense
1
Braga
3
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 22/08/24
W
Rapid Vienna
1
Braga
2
Portugal Primeira Liga 18/08/24
W
Boavista
0
Braga
1
Rapid Wien preview: Trying to avoid an unwanted 3-peat
For the past two seasons, Rapid Wien have lost out in the playoff stage for the Europa Conference League. While reaching this far in the Europa League qualifiers means they are guaranteed a spot in the Conference League this season, they will be desperate to win here to get the playoff voodoo off their backs.
Predicted lineup: Hedl (GK), Bolla, Cvetkovic, Yao, Auer, Sangare, Schaub, Jansson, Burgstaller, Seidl & Bejo
Austria Bundesliga 01/09/24
W
FC Salzburg
2
Rapid Vienna
3
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 29/08/24
D
Braga
2
Rapid Vienna
2
Austria Bundesliga 25/08/24
L
FC Blau Weiss Linz
3
Rapid Vienna
0
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 22/08/24
L
Braga
2
Rapid Vienna
1
Austria Bundesliga 18/08/24
W
WSG Swarovski Tirol
0
Rapid Vienna
2
Player to watch: Rodrigo Zalazar
Rodrigo Zalazar has been a revelation in midfield for Braga so far this season and the Uruguayan could end up attracting attention from elsewhere if he keeps his current performance levels up. Zalazar has scored five goals and provided five assists in just eight appearances this season, suggesting he has taken his game to new heights.
The 25-year-old signed for the club from Schalke in the summer of 2023 and although he did well last season, the jump up in levels has been impressive. If he can continue his hot streak against Rapid Wien, then Braga can look forward to a season in the Europa League.
