Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
90 minutes away from punching their spot in the final of this season’s Europa League, Braga will travel to Germany on Thursday night when they meet Freiburg for their second-leg showdown.
Freiburg
Starting with the hosts, while Freiburg might have continued on an astonishing flurry on either side of March’s international break, Julian Schuster’s side have largely come crashing back down to earth over the past fortnight. Missing out on the chance to claim some crucial momentum over the weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Wolfsburg, Freiburg also have a mountain to climb on Thursday night. Eventually falling to a first-leg 2-1 loss when they travelled to Portugal last week, Schuster’s camp are also searching for some crucial defensive grit. Including a nightmare 4-0 drumming at the hands of Borussia Dortmund on April 26th, Thursday’s hosts have remarkably mustered just a pair of clean sheets from their previous 18 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to February 1st.
Freiburg Team News
Not featuring since the middle of February, academy graduate Max Rosenfelder remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Likewise, one-time Borussia Dortmund youngster Patrick Osterhage will miss the remainder of the season with a long-term knee issue.
Only making a cameo appearance off the bench on Sunday evening, leading marksman and Croatian international Igor Matanovic will lead the line here. Enjoying what has been a breakout campaign, 20-year-old starlet Johan Manzambi will start in the middle of the park.
Braga
As for the visitors, securing what could prove to be a crucial first-leg advantage on home soil last week, Braga are 90 minutes away from punching their spot in the final of this season’s Europa League. Eventually clinging to a thrilling 2-1 victory in front of their own supporters, Carlos Vicens’ high-flying squad have shattered a string of records this year. While the Archbishops might be set to settle for yet another fourth-place finish among Portugal’s elite, Braga have suffered just a sole defeat from any of their last nine appearances across all competitions. Extending on their Europa League adventure last month as they secured an iconic 5-3 aggregate win against Spanish outfit Real Betis, Thursday’s guests have also gained a reputation for their lively outcomes.
Braga Team News
Suffering what was a season-ending Achilles tendon injury last month, Mali international Sikou Niakate will not play any part here. Likewise, January recruit and former Based defender Adrian Barisic remains on the sidelines with a muscle issue and is not expected to feature here.
Missing out against Estoril over the weekend after serving a one-match domestic suspension, French youngster Gorby will return to Vicens’ travelling squad. Despite being set to turn 40 in September, former Wolves star Joao Moutinho will start in the middle of the park on Thursday night.
Freiburg vs Braga Key Factors to Consider
- When Freiburg and Braga met for their first-leg showdown over in Portugal last week, Thursday’s guests clinched a 2-1 victory on home soil.
- Freiburg have failed to win any of their last four appearances across all competitions (three defeats, one draw).
- Braga have suffered just a sole defeat from any of their last nine appearances across all fronts.
- The Archbishops have seen five of their last six matchups finish with both teams finding the net.
- Freiburg have failed to register a clean sheet from any of their last seven outings across all fronts.
Conclusion
Securing what could prove to be a crucial first-leg advantage on home soil last week, Braga travel to Germany on Thursday night holding a slender one-goal advantage. However, with a spot in the final of this season’s Europa League firmly hanging in the balance, we could be treated to another thrilling contest here. Alongside Freiburg failing to register a clean sheet from any of their last six straight outings, Braga have also gained a reputation for their lively outcomes.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet