Braga v Benfica Europa League Semi-Final Second Leg Preview
It’s an all Portuguese Europa League semi-final between Braga and Benfica on Thursday night. The second leg will be held at Braga Municipal Stadium after Benfica took the first leg with a 2-1 victory. However, Braga and Benfica are equal at 13/8 odds to take the second leg.
Braga have a good home record so it will be a close battle for entry into the final at Dublin to meet a probable Porto side in an all-Portuguese final. Braga beat Liverpool, Arsenal and Seville at home this season without letting in a goal. They have been defensive stalwarts in European play, conceding just four goals in their last seven matches.
Braga’s goalscorer from last week’s match against Benfica, Vandinho, is out on suspension so Lima will be carry the scoring load. The fellow Brazilian has 6/1 odds at Ladbrokes to score first. Since being knocked out of the Champions League, Braga have won six of eight home fixtures in the Europa League and are unbeaten in seven overall at home.
Benfica’s win in the first leg last week was huge because it was Braga’s lone loss in 14 matches. They dominated the first half of that match and will look for that kind of form on Thursday. Oscar Cardozo scored the winner to give him five goals in the European campaign. He has 11/2 odds at Ladbrokes to score first. Playmaker Pablo Aimar is suspended for Benfica, who drew 1-1 at Olhanense over the weekend. They have just four wins in their last 10 fixtures and only one win in six away matches.
Braga v Benfica Match Odds (supplied by Ladbrokes)
Braga: 13/8
Draw: 23/10
Benfica: 13/8