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Kick-off: Thursday, 16 April @20:05 GMT
Venue: L’viv Arena (L’viv)
Live Stream: fuboTV (US), bet365 (non-US)
Head to head record
Braga vs Shakhtar Donetsk 1-2 (2015/2016 Europa League)
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Braga 2-0 (2010/2011 Europa League)
Braga vs Shakhtar Donetsk 0-3 (2010/2011 Europa League)
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sporting Braga prediction
Shakhtar Donetsk will be aiming to defend their slim lead in the Europa League tie against Sporting Braga when they welcome the Portuguese side at L’viv Arena. The Miners are a real force to be reckoned with at home, but the visitors should not be underestimated.
Focus on Europa League
After dropping two points in a 3-3 draw with Stal in their last Ukrainian Premier League match, Shakhtar Donetsk now have slim chances of winning the domestic trophy as they are five points adrift of league leaders Dynamo Kiev in the standings. As a result, Mircea Lucescu’s men will give their best to save the season by winning the Europa League title, but that is easier said than done. The Miners need to defend their slim lead in the tie against Sporting Braga and seeing that they have already eliminated the likes of Schalke and Anderlecht in the Europa League knockout stages, the Ukrainians are definitely capable of beating Paulo Fonseca’s troops at L’viv Arena. Shakhtar have played two matches in L’viv so far in the 2015/2016 Europa League campaign, with the team beating Anderlecht 3-1, while playing out a goalless draw with Schalke. Facundo Ferreyra found the net in the first leg and he should lead the line for the hosts against Braga.
Fred and Rakitskiy both miss the match through suspension, while Azevedo is unlikely to recover in time to face Braga. Taison should be fit to play in the return leg.
Uphill task for Braga
Braga have yet to recover from a heavy 5-1 loss to Benfica. Os Minhotos were totally outclassed by the Eagles in the Primeira League clash earlier in April and nobody was really surprised when they suffered a 2-1 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League quarter-final, first leg. Paulo Fonseca’s men face a difficult task in the return leg as they need to record a big win over the Ukrainian side in L’viv and, to be honest, they have slim chances of advancing to the Europa League semis. Braga failed to beat ten-man Moreirense in their last league match and, taking everything into account, away win should not be considered this time out. You should have in mind that the Portuguese team failed to score in four of their last five away games in all competitions.
Crislan and Rui Fonte are both sidelined with injury, while Josue is a major doubt and he will be assessed on the match day. Coach Paulo Fonseca should stick to the 4-4-2 formation, with Koka and Stojiljkovic up front.
Quick Facts
- Shakhtar Donetsk are after their fourth consecutive win over Braga
- Mircea Lucescu’s team suffered only one loss in last 13 home games in the EL
- Shakhtar are on four-game winning run in the Europa League
- Braga scored just one goal in last five away matches
- Under 2.5 goals were scored in eight of Braga’s last nine away matches in the EL
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sporting Braga betting tip
Sporting Braga have been totally out of form of late and the visitors are low on confidence ahead of the trip to Ukraine. Shakhtar Donetsk have been producing splendid displays in the Europa League knockout stages and they are widely expected to record their fourth consecutive win over Paulo Fonseca’s team. Taking everything into account, Os Minhotos are likely to return to Portugal empty-handed.
Tip: Shakhtar to win
Odds: 1.70 (7/10) @Betfair
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