Final match for the Europa League for the Iron

For some clubs, the penultimate matchday of the Champions League group stage is all-important. One team that has its back to the wall and is now hoping to gain new momentum with a new coach is the Ironers from the German capital. It’s all to play for on Wednesday and in our Braga v Union Berlin betting tip, we’ll see whether the Köpenickers can survive the winter in the European Cup or whether the crisis will continue internationally

There are still some unanswered questions in this Group C of the premier class. Real Madrid are top of the table with twelve points from four games and have already booked their ticket to the round of 16. SSC Napoli could follow suit with a win in their direct clash with the Whites. They currently have seven points. However, if the Italian champions lose in Madrid, they could even be in danger of dropping out of the Europa League.

However, this scenario can only occur if Sporting Braga also win against the Whites. Braga have three points, while Union are currently last with one point. The starting position is clear. The Portuguese side need a win to possibly make it into the Champions League this winter. Berlin need a three-pointer to at least have a chance of reaching the Europa League. Theoretically, one point could also be enough for Union, but then they would have to win at home against the Madrilenians on the final matchday and Braga would have to lose in Naples

However, new coach Nenad Bjelica’s team will not want to get involved in arithmetic. They have to win in Portugal on Wednesday, nothing else counts. However, the odds at betting provider Bet3000 suggest that the forecast for the second leg between Braga and Union Berlin is for a home win. However, we think that a win is definitely possible for the Irons, even if it’s been months since Berlin’s last success

Braga – statistics & current form

For a long time, it was clear that Sporting Braga were only number four in the Portuguese league behind Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and FC Porto. After finishing third last year, Artur Jorge’s team will once again be able to make their mark in the Champions League. Braga are currently in fourth place, but are at least two points behind Porto in third place

Two home defeats in the Champions League

However, the Portuguese side have not really impressed in this Champions League campaign. Both home games against Napoli and Real Madrid were lost, albeit twice by just one goal. Overall, they have suffered two defeats in a row in the top flight. However, it is a good omen that Braga have not conceded three defeats in a row in the European Cup for eleven years

If we extend our look at current form to national competitions, then things are going quite well overall at the moment. There has only been one defeat in the last six competitive matches. This came in the top flight at the Bernabéu, certainly a stadium where you can lose. The Portuguese side’s current form does not suggest that the odds on an away win between Braga and Union Berlin should necessarily be played.

The Portuguese side passed their dress rehearsal last weekend with flying colors. In the Portuguese Cup, they were guests at league rivals Portimonense. Basically, there was never any doubt about the away win. Goals from Álvaro Djaló, Ricardo Horta twice and Rony Lopes made it 4:0 after 75 minutes and the late goal to make it 4:1 was just a waste of time in the end.

Predicted Braga line-up:

Union Berlin – Statistics & current form

It will be interesting to see how Union Berlin perform in their first game under Nenad Bjelica. He has already gained experience in the Champions League with Dinamo Zagreb. The Croatian is now the hope that they will get back on track in the Bundesliga, but also that they will survive the winter in international competition. The match in Braga is essential for this

Without a win since the end of August

A look at the Bundesliga table should pain all supporters of the Iron. With just seven points from twelve games, they are currently only in penultimate place. When you consider that they picked up two wins on the first two matchdays, you know how deep the Köpenickers are currently in crisis. Union are without a win in 15 competitive matches since the end of August and have only managed two draws

All in all, this record hardly speaks in favor of predicting an away win between Braga and Union Berlin. However, the matches in the top flight have all shown that the capital city side were not that far away from their opponents and only lost extremely unluckily in Madrid or at home to Braga, for example.

At least the Berliners did something for morale last Saturday. Under the coaching duo of Marco Grote and Marie-Louise Eta, they were 1-0 down at home against Augsburg. Robin Knoche initially missed the equalizer from the penalty spot, but then managed to make it 1:1 after all. Kevin Volland’s goal ensured at least a point and hope that things will now improve again.

Predicted line-up of Union Berlin:

Braga – Union Berlin head-to-head comparison / H2H result

There aren’t that many teams on the international stage that Union Berlin have played against several times. Last year, however, Sporting Braga and the Ironmen faced each other in the Europa League group stage. There have been a total of three matches to date and the direct comparison speaks in favor of the Portuguese with a 2:1 victory.

However, Union were also the better team in both defeats, last year in Braga and now in the first leg. At the beginning of October, the Iron were already 2-0 up against the Portuguese side thanks to two goals from Sheraldo Becker. Sikou Niakate and Bruma initially scored the equalizers. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Andre Castro was on hand to score the 3:2 winner

Braga – Union Berlin tip

The big question for Union Berlin is when the knot will finally burst. New coach Nenad Bjelica’s team has great qualities. Perhaps it is the Croatian who will now awaken these qualities in his team. It won’t be down to the necessary attitude on Wednesday either. Perhaps it is the right time, when nobody believes in this team anymore, to achieve a turnaround.

However, it cannot be denied that the Berliners have not won a game in 15 competitive matches, or a good three months. But there is probably no better opportunity than the new coach’s debut

Braga won the first leg at the Alte Försterei and have only lost once in their last six games. We think it could now be time again. However, the risk of betting on an away win is of course not small. That’s why we’re reducing this a little and have decided to play the odds on at least one point win for the Bundesliga club between Braga and Union Berlin