![Shakhtar Donetsk will host Brest in Gelsenkirchen in the next Champions League round on Wednesday, 22 January. Will the hosts get a win that will keep them in pursuit of the next stage or will Brest crush those hopes? Find out from our Shakhtar Donetsk vs Brest prediction and preview below. Shakhtar Donetsk vs Brest prediction: Guests to emerge victorious Key stats Shakhtar haven't played a competitive game since 15th December and they have lost their last two games they've played. Both teams have scored in five of the last six competitive games played by Shakhtar Donetsk. We saw both teams score in six of the last nine matches played by Brest in all competitions. Correct score prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-2 Brest With Brest in great form and Shakhtar playing their home matches in Germany, which takes their home court advantage away, we can see the French team getting all three points from this game, although it should be very close, with goals on both sides. Pre-game odds and win probability: No clear favourites in this match HOME: 13/8 (2.63) - 38.10% DRAW: 23/10 (3.30) - 30.30% AWAY: 8/5 (2.60) - 38.50% *odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change Looking at these Shakhtar Donetsk vs Brest odds, we can see that the bookies expect a very close contest and that the guests are the expected winners by the slimmest of margins. In any case, be sure to look at our football betting tips page for more predictions this weekend! Most recent H2Hs: First time to meet These two teams haven't met each other before. Furthermore, Brest have never played a team from Ukraine before either. However, Shakhtar Donetsk have met with French teams many times and they have a record of nine wins, six draws, and six losses. [h2h event_id="547674" template="default"] Shakhtar Donetsk preview: Trying to stay in the race With four points from six Champions League matches, Shakhtar Donetsk are in a difficult spot when it comes to making it to the knockout stages. At the moment, they are four points behind Dinamo Zagreb, who are 24th in the standings, the last place that guarantees the next stage and with two games left to go, Shakhtar would have to win both of their matches to even have a chance to qualify. Since Shakhtar have been on a break for more than a month, having only played a few friendly matches, they are seemingly in top shape and have no injuries to worry about. Predicted lineup: Riznyk (GK), Konoplya, Bondar, Matviienko, Pedro Henrique, Marlon Gomes, Bondarenko, Sudakov, Zubkov, Sikan & Kevin [last_five team_id="14912" template="default"] Brest preview: Close to securing their place in the knockouts With four wins, one draw, and one loss in six games in the Champions League, Brest are currently 7th in the standings, which would take them directly to the Round of 16. So, a win against Shakhtar would put them one step closer to this goal and considering the team's recent form with six win in their last seven games, Brest fans have every reason to hope for a win in this match. That being said, Brest are dealing with a lot of injuries at the moment, with Jordan Amavi, Massadio Haidara, Soumaila Coulibaly, Jonas Martin, Karamoko Dembele, Bradley Locko, and Julien Le Cardinal all out for this match. Predicted lineup: Bizot (GK), Lala, Chardonnet, Ndiaye, Fernandes, Del Castillo, Camara, Magnetti, Doumbia, Ajorque & Sima Union St Gilloise vs Braga prediction](https://footballwhispers.com/app/uploads/2025/01/Union-St-Gilloise-vs-Braga-prediction.jpg)
Union St Gilloise and Braga will meet in the next Europa League round on Thursday, 23 January.
With both teams still hoping to make the knockout phase, who will emerge victorious from this important duel? Find that out and more from our Union St Gilloise vs Braga prediction and preview.
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Union St Gilloise vs Braga prediction: A high-scoring and close duel awaits
Key stats
- We saw both teams score in eight of the last 10 matches played by Union St Gilloise across the board.
- Both teams have scored in three of the last five Braga's matches in all competitions.
- Union St Gilloise and Braga have both won three of their last four games.
Correct score prediction: Union St Gilloise 2-2 Braga
The last time these two teams have met each other the result was 3-3 and we expect to see a similar game on Thursday, with plenty of goals and the match ending without a winner since both teams are in similar forms heading into this game.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Union the more likely winners
- HOME: 19/20 (1.95) – 51.30%
- DRAW: 27/10 (3.70) – 27.00%
- AWAY: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.60%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Looking at these Union St Gilloise vs Braga odds, we can see that the hosts are the expected winners, which makes sense given that they're in good form coming into this game.
That being said, Braga have also done well lately and with Union St Gilloise hosting this match at a neutral venue, they won't have a strong home-court advantage to rely on.
In any case, be sure to look at our football betting tips page for more predictions this weekend!
Most recent H2Hs: Third meeting in two years
While these teams haven't met at all before last year, they were in the same Europa League group last season and Union St Gilloise have done better in those matches, drawing at home and beating Braga in Portugal.
UEFA Europa League 13/10/22
Union Saint Gilloise
Braga
UEFA Europa League 06/10/22
Braga
Union Saint Gilloise
Union St Gilloise preview: In good form and looking for more
The Belgian team enter this match with eight points from six games in the Europa League, which puts them in contention for the next stage. More importantly, seven of those eight points came in the last three games they've played and overall Union St Gilloise have been in good form lately, so their fans rightfully hope for a win on Thursday.
That being said, Kevin Mac Allister, Charles Vanhoutte, and Anan Khalaili are all suspended for this match, while Henok Teklab is questionable with an injury.
Predicted lineup: Moris (GK), Sykes, Burgess, Leysen, Castro-Montes, Sadiki, Van De Perre, El Hadj, Niang, Fuseini & Ivanovic
Belgium First Division A 12/04/25
W
Anderlecht
0
Union Saint Gilloise
2
Belgium First Division A 05/04/25
W
Gent
0
Union Saint Gilloise
3
Belgium First Division A 29/03/25
W
Antwerp
1
Union Saint Gilloise
5
Belgium First Division A 15/03/25
L
Genk
2
Union Saint Gilloise
1
Belgium First Division A 09/03/25
W
Standard Liege
0
Union Saint Gilloise
3
Braga preview: In the race for the next stage
With one point fewer than their upcoming opponent in the Europa League, Braga are currently 25th in the standings, so they will have to do well in their last two games in the league phase to make it to the knockout stage. Braga have won four of their last six games in all competitions, so they are also in good form and will hope to do well in this match too.
Furthermore, Braga have no injury issues at the moment, but they will be without Matheus, who is suspended for this game.
Predicted lineup: Hornicek (GK), Gomez, Niakate, Arrey-Mbi, Ribeiro, Moutinho, Carvalho, Fernandes, Horta, Bruma & El Ouazzani
Portugal Primeira Liga 13/04/25
W
AVS
1
Braga
4
Portugal Primeira Liga 07/04/25
D
Sporting
1
Braga
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 29/03/25
W
Arouca
1
Braga
2
Portugal Primeira Liga 15/03/25
W
SC Farense
0
Braga
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 08/03/25
W
FC Porto
0
Braga
1
Player to watch: Bruma
With three goals and one assist in the Europa League this season, the experienced Portuguese winger has been in great form for Braga. Furthermore, Bruma has also done very well in Primeira Liga seven goals and four assists, so he's certainly the player to watch in this match too.
