Braga aim to achieve their longest winning streak run on the continental stage when they welcome Red Star Belgrade to the Estadio Municipal de Braga on Thursday evening for round three of the Europa League league phase.
The Archbishops, who progressed through the qualifying rounds to reach this phase of the competition, have now strung together seven consecutive wins in Europe. Carlos Vicens’s side opened the league phase with back-to-back victories over Feyenoord and Celtic, with the results placing them third in the standings.
Meanwhile, Red Star began their campaign with a draw against Celtic before falling to a late defeat away to Porto. The Serbian champions are currently positioned 27th in the Europa League table.
Read our Braga vs Red Star Belgrade predictions and preview below, and remember to check our other Europa League betting tips for further insights.
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Braga vs Red Star Belgrade predictions: The Archbishops aim to extend perfect run
Key stats:
- Red Star have lost 11 of their last 12 away matches in major European competitions (W1).
- Both teams have scored in the last two meetings between the sides.
- Braga have conceded more than one goal just once in their last 18 home games across all competitions.
- The visitors have both scored and conceded in each of their last seven European outings.
Correct score prediction: Braga 2-1 Red Star
Although Braga managed to keep clean sheets in their opening two fixtures, they now face a Red Star side that have found the net in 15 of their last 17 away matches in European competition, suggesting there is a good chance of both teams getting on the scoresheet.
However, given Red Star’s well-documented struggles on the road during the main stages of continental tournaments and Braga’s exceptional recent form in the Conference League, the hosts are tipped to claim all three points. The Serbian outfit also suffered a 2-1 defeat in their most recent European game against Porto, and a similar outcome could be on the cards as they travel to Portugal once again.
Pre-match analysis: Hosts more than twice as likely
- HOME: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.4%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 3/1 (4.00) – 25.0%
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes; subject to change*
The above odds reflect Braga’s status as firm favourites for this clash. The Archbishops have been handed more than double the win probability of their visitors, with a 52.4% chance of victory compared to Red Star’s 25.0%.
Most recent H2H: Even record between the sides
The last meeting between the two clubs came in 2021 at the Estadio Municipal de Braga, ending in a 1-1 draw. It was the third stalemate in this fixture, with both teams also registering one victory each in the other two encounters between them.
Braga preview: Clean bill of health
There are no fresh injury concerns for Braga, and no suspensions have been reported within their UEFA list, leaving head coach Vicens with a full squad to select from.
Several first-choice players are expected to return to the starting lineup on Thursday. Goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek is likely to reclaim his place between the posts, while centre-backs Sikou Niakate and Gustaf Lagerbielke should also be restored to the XI. In attack, Ricardo Horta and Rodrigo Zalazar are expected to feature from the outset after making substitute appearances in the recent 1-0 win over GD Braganca in the Taca de Portugal.
Predicted XI: Hornicek (GK), Lelo, Niakate, Lagerbielke, Gomez, Gorby, Victor Carvalho, Grillitsch, Horta, Ouazzani & Zalazar
Braga’s last five results:
- 18/10/25: GD Braganca 0-1 Braga (W)
- 05/10/25: Sporting CP 1-1 Braga (D)
- 02/10/25: Celtic 0-2 Braga (W)
- 28/09/25: Braga 0-1 Nacional (L)
- 24/09/25: Braga 1-0 Feyenoord (W)
Red Star preview: At least three out
Red Star arrive in Portugal following a commanding 6-1 home victory over IMT Novi Beograd in the Serbian SuperLiga. Midfielder Mirko Ivanic was the standout performer, netting a hat-trick, while Marko Arnautovic and Vasilije Kostov also found the target. Substitute Luka Zaric added a late goal, and his impact could earn him a place in the starting eleven for this European tie. The visitors, however, will be without Rade Krunic, Shavy Babicka, and Aleksandar Katai, all sidelined with injuries.
Predicted XI: Matheus (GK), Seol, Uchenna, Rodrigao, Tiknizyan, Handel, Elsnik, Ivanic, Kostov, Zaric & Arnautovic
Red Star’s last five results:
- 19/10/25: Red Star 6-1 IMT Novi Beograd (W)
- 05/10/25: Napredak 0-3 Red Star (W)
- 02/10/25: FC Porto 2-1 Red Star (L)
- 28/09/25: Red Star 2-1 Radnicki 1923 (W)
- 24/09/25: Red Star 1-1 Celtic (D)
Player to watch: Ricardo Horta
Ricardo Horta opened the scoring against Celtic in the previous round and, having come off the bench in the Taca de Portugal win on Friday, the 31-year-old midfielder is expected to return to the starting lineup as he looks to find the net in back-to-back European outings.