Following their playoff triumph over Ludogorets, Ferencvaros return to action in the Europa League when they play host to Braga in the first leg of their round-of-16 clash on Thursday. The Portuguese outfit, meanwhile, enjoyed a solid run of results in the league phase, where they finished sixth in the standings to secure automatic passage to the knockout stages.
FootballWhispers’ Ferencvaros vs Braga prediction takes a deep look at the chances of both sides coming out on top at the Groupama Arena, as well as the odds courtesy of bet365, while you can click here to find more betting tips for today.
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Ferencvaros vs Braga key stats
- Braga have conceded in each of their last four matches, though, they are on a run of three clean sheets from their last three Europa League games.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in eight of Ferencvaros’ last nine matches, with five of the hosts’ most recent seven games seeing the two teams find the back of the net.
- Braga are one of just three sides unbeaten on the road in the Europa League this season, having picked up two wins and two draws from their four away games so far.
- Ferencvaros are on a run of four consecutive home victories, scoring 11 goals and keeping three clean sheets since January’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Gyor in the league.
Ferencvaros vs Braga preview: Both sides looking to secure vital early advantage
| Ferencvaros | vs | Braga |
|---|---|---|
| 12th in group table | Position | 6th in group table |
| 15 | Points | 17 |
| 12 | Goals For | 11 |
| 11 | Goals Against | 5 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 6 |
| 13th in group phase | Home Rank | 11th in group phase |
| 11th in group phase | Away Rank | 6th in group phase |
Having failed to reach the Champions League after losing 5-4 on aggregate against Qarabag in the qualifying playoff, Ferencvaros flew out of the blocks in the Europa League, picking up four wins and three draws from their first seven group matches.
However, the Hungarian powerhouse faltered when it mattered the most, as they fell to a 4-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest in the group finale on January 29, a result which saw them miss out on automatic qualification to the round of 16 by just one point.
Ferencvaros found themselves staring down at elimination when they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Ludogorets in the playoff first leg on February 19, but goals from Gabi Kanichowsky and Kristoffer Zachariassen saw them secure a 2-0 home victory in the return leg one week later and turn the tie on its head.
Robbie Keane’s men head into Thursday’s first leg fresh off the back of securing a fifth consecutive victory across all competitions last weekend, when they edged out Nyiregyhaza Spartacus 3-1 in the Hungarian NB I — a result which has seen them leapfrog Gyor into first place in the league table.
Braga’s keeper Lukas Hornicek ranks first in the Europa League’s shutout chart, having kept six clean sheets from eight matches so far.
While Ferencvaros will be looking to make it five straight home wins since the start of February and place one foot in the quarter-finals, they are up against a Braga side who boast one of the best defences in the Europa League, having conceded just five goals so far.
The solid job done at the defensive end of the pitch proved key to Braga securing automatic qualification to the round of 16, as the Portuguese outfit finished sixth in the table while scoring just 11 goals across the eight group games — only Freiburg (10) scored fewer amongst the top-eight sides.
Carlos Vicens’ men finished with 17 points from a possible 24 after picking up five wins and two draws from their eight matches, with their only defeat coming on November 6, when they were beaten 4-3 by Belgian outfit Genk at the Estadio Braga Municipal.
Braga’s Ricardo Horta has created six big chances in the Europa League this season, only behind Celtic’s Arne Engels (7).
Braga journey to the Groupama Arena unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches across all competitions, picking up seven wins and two draws, including last weekend’s 2-2 comeback stalemate against Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga.
Os Arcebispos found themselves trailing twice at the Estadio Braga Municipal, but a first-half strike from Ricardo Horta and Rodrigo Zalazar’s 96th-minute penalty helped them salvage what could prove to be a vital point in their push for European football.
Braga, who sit fourth in the Primeira Liga table, five points above fifth-placed Gil Vicente below the UEFA Conference League qualifying spot, now go up against a Ferencvaros side who are unbeaten at home in the Europa League this season, picking up three wins and two draws from their five matches so far.
Ferencvaros vs Braga form guide & betting tips
| Ferencvaros | vs | Braga |
|---|---|---|
| W-W-W-W-W | Form | W-L-W-W-D |
| 15 | Points | 10 |
| 1st in NB I | Form Table | 3rd in Primeira Liga |
| 15 | Goals For | 11 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 7 |
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Whispers predicts: Ferencvaros 2-2 Braga
Having won each of their last five matches, the formbook points towards Ferencvaros, but they will need to be at their best against a well-drilled and defensively resolute Braga side, who are unbeaten on the road in the competition.
The bookmakers have Braga as favourites to secure the victory at 2.35, but Ferencvaros to win at 3.10 cannot be ignored, given they have won each of their last four home games in all competitions.
We predict both sides will cancel out each other’s efforts in an entertaining Draw priced at 3.30, while we see Over 2.5 goals scored at 2.00.
A Draw & BTTS sits at 4.33, which is the value bet for us as we expect both sides to ultimately leave all to play for in the return leg, while a correct score of 2-2 is priced at 15.00.
> BTTS - Yes at 1.80 | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 2.5 goals at 2.00 | Likelihood: Probable
> Draw & BTTS - Yes at 4.33 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score: 2-2 at 15.00 | Likelihood: Outsider