7th Aug. UEFA Europa League - CFR Cluj VS Sporting Braga Prediction
UEFA Europa League - CFR Cluj VS Sporting Braga
Match Time:08-08-2025 00:30 Friday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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CFR Cluj
CFR Cluj, coached by Dan Petrescu, enters the third qualifying round after finishing second in the Romanian Liga I last season. They advanced past Hungary’s Paksi FC 3-1 on aggregate (2-1, 1-0) in the first round and FC Lugano 1-0 on aggregate (0-0, 1-0, extra-time goal by Sheriff Sinyan) in the second round, averaging 1.0 goal scored and 0.25 goals conceded across four qualifiers. Their domestic form is shaky, with only 4 points from 4 Liga I games (1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses), including a 3-2 loss to Universitatea Craiova on August 4, 2025. Key players include Matei Ilie (2 goals vs. Craiova), Virgiliu Postolachi, and Ciprian Deac, with a probable 4-2-3-1 lineup: Săpunaru; Manea, Ilie, Boben, Camora; Sinyan, Mogos; Deac, Postolachi, Kecskés; Sorescu. Cluj’s strengths are their European experience and defensive solidity (no goals conceded in qualifiers), but injuries to Adrian Paun, Simao Rocha, Kenneth Omeruo, Karlo Muhar, Mohammed Kamara, and Lindon Emerllahu, plus poor league form, are concerns. They aim to leverage home support at Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu (sold out, 23,500 capacity) to gain a first-leg edge, with a Conference League league phase spot guaranteed if they lose.
Sporting Braga
Sporting Braga, led by Carlos Carvalhal, is targeting the Europa League group stage after a strong 2024-25 Primeira Liga season. They progressed past Levski Sofia 1-0 on aggregate (0-0, 1-0, extra-time goal by Fran Navarro) in the second round, averaging 0.5 goals scored and 0.0 goals conceded in two qualifiers. Their pre-season was perfect, winning all five friendlies, including against Moreirense and Famalicão, averaging 2.0 goals scored. Key players include Navarro, João Moutinho, and Gabriel Moscardo, with a probable 4-2-3-1 lineup: Matheus; Mendes, Niakaté, Oliveira, Marín; Moutinho, Moscardo; Horta, Zalazar, Bruma; Navarro. Braga’s strengths are their defensive resilience (clean sheets in both qualifier legs) and midfield creativity, but early-season rustiness (narrow win vs. Levski) is a concern. They seek an away result to set up the second leg on August 14 at Estádio Municipal de Braga.
Head-to-Head
Cluj and Braga met in the 2012-13 Champions League group stage, with Cluj winning both matches (3-1 away, 1-0 home), giving them a 2-0 H2H record. Matches averaged 2.5 goals, with 50% over 2.5 goals and 50% both teams scoring (BTTS). Cluj’s victories included a memorable 3-1 win at Old Trafford in the same group, highlighting their European pedigree.
Predicted Score: CFR Cluj 1-0 Sporting Braga
This first-leg clash on August 7, 2025, at Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu, Cluj-Napoca, at 5:30 PM CEST (12:30 PM EDT), is a sell-out, broadcast on beIN SPORTS and streamed on UEFA.tv and Sofascore, with referee Sascha Stegemann officiating. Cluj’s Postolachi and Deac face Braga’s Navarro and Horta, with Cluj’s defensive solidity (no goals conceded in qualifiers) tested by Braga’s perfect pre-season and clean sheets. Cluj are underdogs (+310 odds) against Braga (-145), with a draw at +250. Trends (Cluj: 0% over 2.5 goals in qualifiers; Braga: 0%) and H2H suggest a low-scoring game, with betting tips favoring under 2.5 goals (-115 odds). Cards may be issued in the 20°C evening if Cluj’s injury-hit squad resorts to tactical fouls. The winner faces Lincoln Red Imps or FC Noah in the play-off round. Cluj is likely to score through Postolachi, capitalizing on home advantage and their European experience, while Braga’s rustiness may limit their attack. Cluj’s defensive record should secure a narrow win, keeping the tie competitive for the second leg.
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