This Europa League qualifier is finely poised following a goalless draw in Portugal last week.
Our Swiss hosts remain the underdogs ahead of Thursday's deciding leg but Braga will have to take their chances this time or risk not qualifying for the play-offs.
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Servette vs Braga prediction: Braga to qualify
Key Stats
- Servette lost 6-0 at home against Basel at the weekend.
- Braga have won three of their last six outings in all competitions.
- The hosts have failed to score in each of their last two matches.
Correct score prediction: Servette 0-2 Braga
Braga have scored at least two goals in four of their last six fixtures across all competitions, including friendlies, and the Portuguese side have kept clean sheets in three of their last four outings.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies still backing Braga
- HOME: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 5/4 (2.25) – 44.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Braga are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 44.4%, and we agree with the bookmakers on this one.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Level pegging
These two sides met for the very first time in their history last week where the game ended goalless.
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 08/08/24
Braga
Servette
Servette preview: Struggling to score goals
Servette will have been very pleased to come away with a goalless draw from the first leg of their Europa League qualifier away at Braga.
However, the Swiss club followed up that surprise draw with a 6-0 defeat in their own backyard against Basel and have now failed to score in their last two fixtures.
Predicted lineup: Frick (GK), Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou, Tsunemoto, Stevanović, Douline, Ondoua, Cognat, Antunes & Crivelli
Switzerland Super League 28/09/24
W
Lausanne Sports
0
Servette
1
Switzerland Super League 21/09/24
D
Grasshoppers
2
Servette
2
Switzerland Cup 15/09/24
L
FC Schaffhausen
2
Servette
1
Switzerland Super League 01/09/24
W
Winterthur
0
Servette
1
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 29/08/24
W
Chelsea
1
Servette
2
Braga preview: Must take their chances this time
Braga will have been left scratching their heads at how they failed to score at least one goal against Servette last week.
The Portuguese hosts dominated the game but missed all of the chances they created, showing just how much they need to get Simon Banza back from injury.
Braga still head into the second leg as the favourite due to the strength of their squad on paper in comparison to their hosts Servette.
Predicted lineup: Matheus (GK), Marín, Gómez, Niakaté, Arrey-Mbi, Moutinho, Zalazar, Bruma, R. Horta, Fernández & 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
Player to watch – Rodrigo Zalazar
Rodrigo Zalazar has proven to be a good signing for Braga since making the move from Germany in 2023.
The 25-year-old central midfielder has the best season of his career in his debut campaign for Braga, scoring eight goals in 49 games across all competitions. Zalazar's best previous goal return came during his time in the second tier of German football with Shcalke where he scored seven times in 32 matches.
Will Zalazar provide the spark Braga need in Switzerland?
Zalazar is the only Braga player to have scored more than once in the Europa League qualifiers so far and has chipped in with an assist, so you can see why he is our player to watch on Thursday.
