Union Saint-Gilloise will be looking to pick up a fourth consecutive win for the first time since December 2021 when they meet Sporting Braga at the Estadio Braga Municipal in Group D of the Europa League.
The hosts head into Thursday’s contest fresh off the back of suffering their first defeat of the season and will be looking to quickli bounce back to winning ways.
Sporting Braga failed to prevail on Friday as they fell to a disapponting 4-1 defeat to Porto at the Estadio do Dragao in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
Prior to that, Os Arcebispos were on an eight-game winning run and had won nine of their last 10 matches across all competitions, with a 3-3 stalemate with Sporting Lisbon in August’s league opener being the only exception.
Artur Jorge’s side now turn their attention to the Europa League, where they began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Malmo on September 8 before claiming a narrow 1-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise one week later to top Group D.
Union Saint-Gilloise have also enjoyed a fine start to the Europa League campaign as they have picked up two wins from their opening two matches to sit level on six ponts with Thursday’s hosts in Group D.
Karel Geraerts’ side began their campaign on September 8, when a first-half goal from Senne Lynen helped tham claim a 1-0 victory away to Union Berlin, before winning 3-2 at home over Malmo in their subsequaent game.
Union SG head into the midweek clash fresh off the back of a 3-0 victory over Oud-Heverlee Leuven in the Pro League last Saturday, where they are currently sitting in fourth place in the league table with 19 points from 10 matches, and they have now won each of their last three games across all competitions.
Sporting Braga vs Union Saint-Gilloise head to head
These two teams have not previously met in any competition and this will be their first meeing in the Europa League group stages.
Sporting Braga latest home form
Sporting Braga have recently been on a good run of form at home, having won each of their four most recent matches. They managed to defeat Vizela 2-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded just three.
Sporting Braga 3-3 Sporting Lisbon 07/08/22
Sporting Braga 5-0 Maritimo 21/08/22
Sporting Braga 1-0 Vitoria Guimaraes 03/09/22
Sporting Braga 1-0 Union Berlin 15/09/22
Sporting Braga 2-0 Vizela 18/09/22
Sporting Braga latest away form
Sporting Braga were beaten 4-1 by FC Porto in their last away game in the league. However, they have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their previous five games. In their last five matches, they have scored 15 goals and conceded six.
Famalicao 0-3 Sporting Braga 12/08/22
Arouca 0-6 Sporting Braga 28/08/22
Malmo 0-2 Sporting Braga 08/09/22
Rio Ave 2-3 Sporting Braga 11/09/22
Porto 4-1 Sporting Braga 30/09/22
Union Saint-Gilloise latest home form
Union SG have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their seven most recent matches. They defeated Malmo 3-2 in their last home game in the Europa League. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded six.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 Rangers 02/08/22
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Kortrijk 13/08/22
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Anderlecht 28/08/22
Union Saint-Gilloise 1-2 Genk 11/09/22
Union Saint-Gilloise 3-2 Malmo 15/09/22
Union Saint-Gilloise latest away form
Union SG have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having won each of their four most recent matches. They managed to defeat OH Leuven 3-0 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded six.
Antwerp 4-2 Union Saint-Gilloise 31/08/22
Zulte Waregem 1-3 Union Saint-Gilloise 04/09/22
Union Berlin 0-1 Union Saint-Gilloise 08/09/22
AS Eupen 1-2 Union Saint-Gilloise 18/09/22
OH Leuven 0-3 Union Saint-Gilloise 01/10/22
Sporting Braga news
Veteran defender Nuno Sequeira is a major doubt for Sporting Braga after he was forced off injured midway through the game against Porto at the weekend.
If he fails to shake off his injury, Alvaro Djalo could come into the starting lineup, teaming up with Fabiano Silva, Vitor Tormena and Sikou Niakate in defence.
Union Saint-Gilloise news
Geraerts will be unable to call upon the services of Dennis Eckert Ayensa, who is set to sit out his third successive game after coming off injured againt Malmo on September 15.
He is joined in the injury table by defender Koki Machida, who is yet to feature this season with severe hip injury.
Prediction and Odds
Sporting Braga have been near impenetrable at the Estadio Braga Municipal and will be looking to return to winning ways following their defeat to Porto.
Union Saint-Gilloise have proven to be a tough team to beat, but we back the hosts to come away with victory at the Estadio Braga Municipal.
Odds: 1 1.82 X 2.05 2 2.26
Probable outcomes
Sporting Braga 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
Sporting Braga 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
Sporting Braga 2-1 Union Saint-Gilloise
Sporting Braga 3-2 Union Saint-Gilloise
Sporting Braga 2-2 Union Saint-Gilloise
