Sporting Braga will welcome Union Berlin to the Estadio Municipal de Braga for matchday five of Group C’s Champions League clash, with kickoff slated for 20:00 GMT.
Key Highlights
Sporting Braga’s Fight for Qualification for the Knockout Stages in the Champions League
Sporting Braga have won just once in their four matches in the Champions League group stage campaign. The three points place them third in the group and in the spot to drop down to the Europa League.
However, they are within four points of second-placed Napoli with two matches remaining in Group C. They will look to win both matches to bolster their chances of making it out of the group.
They have won the last two matches against Real Madrid, losing 1-2 at home and 3-0 away in Madrid.
Braga have bounced back since they lost to Real Madrid. They have won in the Liga Portuguese, 0-1 against Arouca. Last weekend, they progressed from the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal, beating Portimonense 1-4 away from home.
Braga sit fourth in the Liga Portugal after 11 rounds of fixtures. They have won seven, drawn twice, and lost two times. They have scored 30 goals and conceded 18 times. Although they are potent in attack, their failings are compounded by their defensive frailties, which have been evident in their Champions League campaign in Group C.
Bet hereUnion Berlin’s Winless Run in the Champions League
Union Berlin are at the bottom of Group C with a solitary point. They opened their group stage campaign with three consecutive losses. They ended the losing run with a hard-earned 1-1 draw away to Napoli on matchday four, after they lost at home to Napoli 0-1.
However, going into the clash against Braga, Union Berlin have a chance of pipping them to the Europa League positions in the group with a win away in Portugal on Wednesday.
However, Union Berlin will need to bounce back to good form immediately ahead of their trip to Portugal. This will be a challenge for the Bundesliga side given their current poor form in all competitions.
They are winless in their last five outings in all competitions. They have lost three times and drawn twice. The draws came in the last Champions League match away to Napoli, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and the Bundesliga home clash against Augsburg last Saturday, which also ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
It is a must-win for Union Berlin if they are to stand any chance of making it into the Europa League by finishing third ahead of Braga.
Injury Report
Braga
Braga have not reported fresh injury worries ahead of welcoming Union Berlin for their final home match of the group stage.
The manager will be pleased with the team news with the intention of picking a strong 11 to get the three points against Union on Wednesday.
Union Berlin
Union Berlin will be without center-back Leonardo Bonucci (muscular problems, striker Sheraldo Becker (unknown injury), attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson (illness), and Danilho Doekhi (knock), due to injuries.
Possible Lineups
Braga
Matheus; C. Borja, S. Niakate, J. Fonte, V. Gomez; A. Horta, J. Moutinho; Bruma, R. Horta, A. Djalo; S. Banza
Union Berlin
F. Ronnow; P. Jaeckel, R. Knoche, D. Leite; C. Trimmel, J. Haberer, A. Laidouni, R. Gosens; K. Volland, D. D. Fofana; K. Behrens
Prediction
Braga will have the home advantage in this match. They will win the match and open a five-point lead ahead of Union Berlin ahead of the final match of Group C.
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