The top two sides in Group F will be meeting on Thursday when Braga will host Red Star Belgrade in the final matchday of the Europa League group stage.
Both teams will be aiming for a victory as a draw will not be enough if FC Midtjlland manages to beat Ludogorets on Thursday.
Braga are currently in second place, just one point ahead of FC Midtjylland, but only a victory will assure the hosts not having to rely on a favour from Ludogorets, although they have guaranteed a place in the Europa Conference League.
The Portuguese outfit were minutes away from claiming a point in their most recent Europa League fixture with Midtjylland before Evander striked from the spot in stoppage time to fall Braga to a 3-2 defeat.
However, they have responded to that loss in a positive way, winning successive league games against Vizela and Estoril.
Manager Carlos Carvalhal’s side have utilised their home advantge it the Europa League this season, picking up victories in both of their games at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.
Braga are comfortably the top scorers in Group F and they will aim to add to their 11 goal tally in the final matchday as they look to hang onto a crucial victory.
Red Star Belgrade travel to Braga in first position after picking up ten points from their five group games, but qualification for the knockout stages is secure.
They have already guaranteed a place in the Europa Conference League, but will want to remain in the Europa League and are aware that a win would secure a place in the knockout stages.
Red Star Belgrade collected their third victory of the group stage in matchday five with Mirko Ivanic goal securing a 1-0 victory over Ludogorets.
The first victory of the group phase came from a home fixture with Braga, and they will be hoping to replicate that on Thursday.
Braga vs Red Star Belgrade head to head
The two clubs have previously had 4 encounters all in the Europa League, and they seem to be level on strength home and away. They have won one match each and drawn two. Braga have scored 4 goals and conceded 3. Red Star Belgrade won in their last encounter.
Red Star Belgrade 0-0 Braga 15/09/05
Braga 1-1 Red Star Belgrade 29/09/05
Braga 2-0 Red Star Belgrade 19/12/07
Red Star Belgrade 2-1 Braga 16/09/21
Braga latest home form
Braga have been on a good run of form recently, having not lost in any of their last ten matches at home in all competitions. They have won in all their last five matches, including a 4-2 victory over Ludogorets in the Europa League and a 6-0 victory over Santa Clara in the Taca de Portugal.
Braga 3-0 Portimonense 01/11/21
Braga 4-2 Ludogorets 04/11/21
Braga 6-0 Santa Clara 20/11/21
Braga 4-1 Vizela 30/11/21
Braga 2-0 Estoril 05/12/21
Braga latest away form
Braga lost in their last two away fixtures including a 3-2 defeat to Midtjylland in the Europa League on November 25. However, they have been on a good run of form on the road, having not lost four matches prior to the double loss. In their last five, they have won three and lost two.
Moitense 0-5 Braga 17/10/21
Ludogorets 0-1 Braga 21/10/21
Gil Vicente 0-1 Braga 25/10/21
Benfica 6-1 Braga 08/11/21
Midtjylland 3-2 Braga 25/11/21
Red Star Belgrade latest home form
Red Star Belgrade have enjoyed a really good run form at home, having lost just one match out of their last ten in all competitions, the loss coming on November 4 when they narrowly lost 1-0 to Midtjylland in the Europa League. In their last five, they have won four and lost one.
Red Star Belgrade 1-0 Radnicki Nis 24/10/21
Red Star Belgrade 0-1 Midtjylland 04/11/21
Red Star Belgrade 1-0 Ludogorets 25/11/21
Red Star Belgrade 3-0 Spartak Subotica 28/11/21
Red Star Belgrade 1-0 Vozdovac 01/12/21
Red Star Belgrade latest away form
The Red-Whites have been on a good run of form away from home in the recent weeks, having not lost in any of their last five away matches, with their last loss coming on October 27 where they lost 2-1 to Radnik Surdulica. They have won all their last five scoring 13 goals and conceding 2.
Radnicki Kragujevac 0-3 Red Star Belgrade 31/10/21
Vojvodina 1-2 Red Star Belgrade 07/11/21
Indija 0-1 Red Star Belgrade 18/11/21
Mladost Lucani 1-5 Red Star Belgrade 21/11/21
Napredak 0-2 Red Star Belgrade 05/12/21
Braga news
Braga will be without services of David Carmo, Al Musrati and Vitor Tormena who will be unavailable due to injury issues. Defender Nuno Sequeira will also be missing with a knee injury. Wenderson Galeno is a doubt for the Thursday’s fixture after missing in Braga’s last two games.
Red Star Belgrade news
Red Star have no injury issues, giving Stankovic a fresh squad to choose from. Milan Pankov is likely to be let in up front, and he will be looking to score in the Europa League group stage for the first time this season. They will be expecting Aleksandar Katai to supply a goal threat.
Prediction and Odds
With only a point separating the two teams in the group, we expect Thursday’s encounter to be closely contested and their will be possibilities in the outcome.
Braga won their two home group games and we could see them use the home advantage to edge out the visitors and we predict a home win.
Odds: 1 1.87 X 3.21 2 3.10
Probable outcomes
Braga 1-0 Red Star Belgrade
Braga 2-0 Red Star Belgrade
Braga 2-1 Red Star Belgrade
Braga 3-2 Red Star Belgrade
Braga 2-2 Red Star Belgrade
