Sporting Braga host Levski Sofia in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League qualifier after playing out a 0-0 draw in the first meeting. Both teams have shown some good form lately, but the Portuguese side will come into this clash counting on a solid home record.
The result in the first leg was not a reflection of the game, as Braga dominated the possession and had multiple chances to score. While manager Carlos Vicens will be disappointed not to have claimed the advantage, the Portuguese side extended their unbeaten run to seven matches, with five wins in that stretch.
Braga will now aim to complete the job in front of their fans, having picked up some solid results on home soil lately. They are unbeaten in their last seven matches at the Estadio Municipal de Braga, winning five times on this run.
Levski Sofia only showed flashes of their quality in the first leg, but generally had to contend with containing the Portuguese side. The result is part of a solid run of form, having gone unbeaten in their last 10 matches across all competitions.
The Bulgarians earned a 2-1 victory at Septemvri Sofia in a domestic fixture last weekend to make it nine unbeaten matches in a row on the road. However, a closer look reveals Julio Velasquez's men have only picked up four wins on this run, with the other five fixtures ending in draws.
How the bookies view it: Braga overwhelming favourites
Braga have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 1/5 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Levski Sofia is valued at 12/1 while a draw is set at odds of 5/1.
Head to head: One previous meeting
There has been only one previous meeting between Braga and Levski Sofia, with both teams battling to a 0-0 draw in last week's first leg.
Players to watch: Eyes on Horta
Ricardo Horta was one of the standout players for Braga last season and has looked sharp in preseason, scoring in wins over Panathinaikos and Wolfsberger. He should have support from Rodrigo Zalazar, and both men can produce over 1.5 goals – valued at 2/7 with BoyleSports.
Mustapha Sangare and Marin Petkov have both scored two league goals in the early stage of the season and will look to carry that form into this clash. Both men can combine to ensure the visitors produce over 0.5 goals – available at 11/10.
Probable line-ups:
Braga are not expected to make too many changes from the team that started the first leg, with Horta set to feature in attack alongside Zalazar and Fran Navarro, while Paulo Oliveira should continue in the heart of the defence.
Levski Sofia have no injury problems and Sangare is expected to lead the line once again, with Petkov providing support. Georgi Kostadinov should continue in midfield while Christian Makoun is set to line up in defence.
Braga: Hornicek, Arrey-Mbi, Oliveira, Carvalho, Lagerbielke, Dorgeles, Gorby, Moutinho, Horta, Navarro, Zalazar
Levski Sofia: Vutsov, Neves, Dimitrov, Makoun, Maicon, Tridin, Kostadinov, Rildo, Petkov, Sangare, Kirilov
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in six of Braga's last 10 matches (BTTS YES – offered at 5/4 with BoyleSports). The Portuguese side have also scored in both halves in four of their last five matches (Braga to score in both halves – priced at 5/6).
Braga are priced at minimal odds for a straight victory, so a win and over 2.5 goals offers more value (Braga win & over 2.5 goals – set at odds of 7/10).
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