Preview: Braga vs. Union Berlin - prediction, team news, lineups

The Bundesliga outfit head into the game seeking to pick up their first win of the campaign following their opening-day defeat at the hands of Union Saint-Gilloise.

Match preview

Braga could not have hoped for a better start to their quest for European glory as they cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Malmo in their Europa League Group D curtain-raiser on September 8.

In a thrilling contest at the Eleda Stadion, Bruno Rodrigues struck on the half-hour mark to swing the pendulum Braga's way before Ricardo Horta converted his 70th-minute penalty to make sure of all three points.

This result was in keeping with their sensational form in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, where Artur Jorge's side are currently second in the league standings after picking up 16 points from a possible 18 this season.

Braga head into Thursday's matchup off the back of picking up their sixth victory on the bounce as they saw off newly-promoted Rio Ave 3-2 when the sides squared off at the Estadio dos Arcos in last Sunday's league clash.

Os Arcebispos are now unbeaten in each of their last 12 outings across all competitions, claiming 11 wins and one draw, while they have avoided defeat in 11 consecutive home games, dating back to April's 1-0 loss against Gil Vicente.

Union Berlin, on the other hand, moved to the top of the German Bundesliga standings as they claimed a hard-earned 1-0 victory away to Koln when the sides squared off last weekend.

In a cagey affair at the RheinEnergieSTADION, Timo Hubers's third-minute own goal was enough to separate the sides as the hosts failed to convert their chances and force their way back into the game.

Union Berlin are now one of just two sides yet to suffer defeat in the Bundesliga this season after picking up four wins and two draws in their opening four games of the 2022-23 campaign.

Urs Fischer's men now turn their attention to the Europa League, where they kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in their Group D opener on September 8.

Union Berlin head into the midweek clash unbeaten in each of their last six competitive games away from home, picking up five wins and one draw since a 2-1 loss against RB Leipzig in the DFB Pokal semi-finals back in April.

Braga Europa League form:

Braga form (all competitions):

Union Berlin Europa League form:

Union Berlin form (all competitions):

Team News

Braga will take to the pitch without the services of French centre-back Sikou Niakate, who is set to miss his third consecutive game after coming off injured against Vitoria de Guimaraes on September 3.

With his goal and assist against Rio Ave last time out, Ricardo Horta has been involved in seven goals in seven games this season and the 27-year-old midfielder will certainly be one to keep an eye on.

He should be joined in midfield by the trio of Medeiros, Al Musrati, and Andre Horta, while then 22-year-old Vitinha and former Famalicao man Simon Banza should spearhead the hosts' attack once again.

Meanwhile, Fischer will be unable to call upon the service of Sven Miche, who is currently suspended after picking up a straight red late in the group opener against Union Saint-Gilloise.

On the injury front, Union Berlin will be without the duo of Danilho Doekhi and Fabio Schneider, who are currently recuperating from muscle and knee injuries respectively.

They are joined on the club's injury table by 29-year-old midfielder Kevin Mohwald, who had been out of action since early July through a hamstring injury, and Morten Thorsby, who was missing from the matchday squad against Koln at the weekend.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Fabiano, Tormena, Rodrigues, Sequeira; Medeiros, A Horta, Al Musrati, R Horta; Banza, Vitinha

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Grill; Jaeckel, Knoche, Leite; Trimmel, Schäfer, Khedira, Haberer, Ryerson; Becker, Siebatcheu

We say: Braga 3-1 Union Berlin

Braga will head into the game with sky-high confidence, having won each of their last six games in all competitions. They are unbeaten at the Estadio Braga Municipal since April and we predict they will make use of their home advantage and see off the Bundesliga side to keep their fine run going.

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