The 4th round match of the 2024/25 Europa League group stage between Elfsborg (Sweden) and Braga (Portugal) will take place on November 7 at the Borås Arena. Elfsborg vs Braga: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Eugene Dzhaja (Albania)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2023/24–2024/25);
Yellow/red cards shown – 35;
Average yellow/red cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 4;
Fouls on average per match – 25;
Penalties – 50%.
Probable line-ups for the match Elfsborg vs Braga
Elfsborg (3-4-3): Isak Pettersson – Terry Yegbe, Ibrahim Bouhari, Sebastian Holmen – Niklas Hult, Timothy Ouma, Besfort Zeneli, Simon Hedlund – Ahmed Kasem, Michael Baidoo, Arber Zeneli.
Braga (4-3-3): Mateus – Adrián Marín, Sikou Niakate, João Ferreira, Víctor Gómez – João Moutinho, Ricardo Horta, Rodrigo Salasar – Roger Fernandes, Roberto Fernandes Hæn, Bruma.
For each team, the starting lineup from their last match in this tournament is listed.
Elfsborg
The Scandinavians have earned 3 points after 3 rounds, thanks to a victory over Roma with a score of 1:0, while they lost the matches against AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray. However, it's worth mentioning that Elfsborg scored in all 3 matches, totaling 6 goals in the group stage, which is more than 6 other teams. In the Europa League table, the Swedish club is in the 22nd position and leads its upcoming opponent only due to additional indicators.
- The team has scored against the opposition in 10 of their last 11 encounters in Europe's second-tier club competition.
- Elfsborg has not lost in 8 out of the previous 10 Europa League matches (7 wins, 1 draw).
- At home in the Europa League, the club performs even better, winning 8 of their last 10 matches (1 draw, 1 loss).
Braga
The Portuguese team has lost in the last 2 Europa League matches, failing to cope with Olympiacos (0:3) and Bodø/Glimt (1:2). Braga started the group stage with a victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv with a score of 2:1. Thus, the club has not managed to keep a clean sheet in the main stage of the Europa League. Moreover, their streak of conceding goals in Europe's second-tier club competition extends to 6 matches. In the current Europa League standings, the team is in 26th place.
Defender Sikou Niakate will miss the match due to suspension.
- There was a goal exchange in 5 of Braga's last 6 Europa League matches.
- The team has not lost in 8 out of the last 10 matches in this tournament (6 wins, 2 draws).
- The Portuguese have scored at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 8 away matches in the Europa League.
Elfsborg vs Braga: Match Prediction
The Swedish team put up a respectable resistance against Galatasaray away in the previous round, losing with a score of 3:4. Their only home match in the current Europa League campaign ended in a victory over Roma. Elfsborg has been successful at home in Europe's second-tier club competition over a longer period, winning 8 of their last 10 matches. Nevertheless, Braga, which has lost the last 2 tournament matches against not the strongest opponents – Olympiacos and Bodø/Glimt, is considered the favorite for the upcoming meeting.
I believe the chances of success in this match are at least equal, with Elfsborg performing splendidly at home and not likely to surrender victory to the Portuguese without a fight. Braga's away results in the Europa League are also not impressive, failing to win in 8 of their last 12 matches, suffering 5 defeats. The Swedes, in turn, have not lost in 9 out of their last 10 home encounters in this tournament. Therefore, my prediction is "Elfsborg win or draw" with odds of .
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