Braga return to Europa League action when they host Genk at the Estadio Braga Municipal on Thursday. Carlos Vicens’ men are one of three teams to have a 100% record in the competition and will look to maintain that performance.
Braga were made to rue their wastefulness in front of goal on Sunday when they lost 2-1 to Porto in their Portuguese Primeira Liga clash at the Estadio do Dragao.
Before that, Vicens’ side were on a four-game winning streak and were undefeated in six consecutive games (5 wins, 1 draw) since losing 1-0 to Nacional on September 28.
Braga now focus on the Europa League, where they have won all three of their matches this season, beating Feyenoord, Celtic and Red Star Belgrade while scoring five goals and keeping three clean sheets.
Meanwhile, a first-half goal from South Korea international Hyeon-gyu Oh propelled Genk to a 1-0 win over Westerlo in the Belgian Jupiler League on Sunday.
Thorsten Fink’s side have now gone six consecutive matches without defeat in all competitions, winning three and drawing three since October 3.
Genk, currently seventh in the Jupiler League table, now return to action in the Europa League, where they secured a 1-0 victory over Rangers in the opening match on September 25.
However, the Belgian side were sent back to earth in the second group match on October 2, when they lost 1-0 at home to Ferencvaros, three weeks before playing out a goalless draw against Real Betis.
Braga vs Genk Head to Head and Key Figures
- This will be the first ever meeting between Braga and Genk, and both teams will be looking to start their head-to-head on a positive note.
- Braga are unbeaten in their nine Europa League matches this season, including qualifying matches, winning eight and drawing one so far.
- Genk are on a run of seven consecutive away matches without defeat, collecting five wins and two draws since a 2-1 defeat against Standard Liège on August 10.
- Braga have won all but one of their last five home matches, with the 1-0 defeat to Nacional on September 28 being the exception.
Braga vs Genk Prediction
Braga have flown off the blocks in the Europa League and will rely against a Genk side who have struggled for consistency so far. We expect Vicens’ men to bounce back from their league defeat to Porto to claim a fourth home win on the trot and extend their 100% Europa League record.
Prediction: Braga 2-0 Genk
Braga vs Genk Predictions
Tip 1: Result – Braga wins
Tip 2: More than 4.5 cards – No (there have been less than five bookings in four of Genk’s last five games)
Tip 3: Over 10.5 corners – No (there have also been under 11 corners in six of the visitors’ last eight matches)
Edited by Nived Zenith
