14th Aug. UEFA Europa League - Sporting Braga VS CFR Cluj Prediction
UEFA Europa League - Sporting Braga VS CFR Cluj
Match Time:15-08-2025 02:30 Friday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
----------------------------------
Sporting Braga
Sporting Braga, coached by Carlos Carvalhal, holds a 2-1 lead from the first leg against CFR Cluj on August 7, 2025, with Jean-Baptiste Gorby scoring twice (17', 50') to overcome Sheriff Sinyan’s equalizer (30'). They followed with a 3-0 win over Tondela in the Portuguese Primeira Liga on August 10, averaging 2.3 goals scored and 0.7 goals conceded in their last three competitive matches. Key players include Gorby (3 goals), Ricardo Horta, and Roger Fernandes, with a probable 4-2-3-1 lineup: Hornicek; Gomez, Oliveira, Niakate, Lelo; Moutinho, Zalazar; Horta, Gorby, Dorgeles; Navarro. Braga’s strengths are their home dominance at Estádio Municipal (4 wins in last 5 home European matches) and attacking fluidity, but doubts over Fran Navarro’s fitness are a concern. They aim to secure a playoff round spot against the loser of the Lincoln Red Imps/Noah Champions League tie.
CFR Cluj
CFR Cluj, led by Dan Petrescu, trails 2-1 after the first leg and drew 2-2 with CS U Craiova in the Romanian Liga I on August 10, averaging 1.3 goals scored and 1.3 goals conceded in their last three competitive matches. Key players include Sinyan, Meriton Korenica, and Ciprian Deac, with a probable 4-3-3 lineup: Hindrich; Camora, Ilie, Sinyan, Bosec; Fica, Djokovic, Korenica; Deac, Munteanu, Postolachi. Cluj’s strengths are their defensive resilience and set-piece threat, but injuries to Kenneth Omeruo, Louis Munteanu, Lindon Emerllahu, and Karlo Muhar, plus disciplinary issues (13 yellows in 5 games), are concerns. They need a one-goal win to force extra time, with a loss dropping them to the Conference League play-offs.
Head-to-Head
Braga won the first leg 2-1 on August 7, 2025, with 18 shots (6 on target) to Cluj’s 10 (3 on target), 6 corners to 5, and 82% pass accuracy to 76%. Historically, Cluj won both prior meetings in the 2012 UEFA Champions League (3-1, 2-0). Matches average 2.7 goals, with 67% over 2.5 goals and 33% both teams scoring (BTTS). Braga’s recent edge contrasts with Cluj’s historical success.
Predicted Score: Sporting Braga 2-0 CFR Cluj (4-1 aggregate)
Braga’s Gorby and Horta face Cluj’s Korenica and Deac, with Braga’s home strength and lead tested by Cluj’s need to attack. Braga are favorites (2/5 odds, 71% win probability) over Cluj (7/1), with a draw at 7/2, per Football Whispers. Trends (Braga: 60% over 2.5 goals; Cluj: 40%) and H2H suggest a tight game, with betting tips favoring Braga to score 2+ goals (1.80 odds) and BTTS-No (1.76). Cards are likely in the 20°C evening, with Cluj’s physicality (15 fouls per game) possibly leading to 4-5 cards. The winner advances to the Europa League playoff round; the loser drops to the Conference League. Braga is likely to score through Gorby, with Cluj struggling to convert due to injuries and Braga’s home clean-sheet record (3 in 4 games). Braga’s form and lead should secure a comfortable win, advancing them to the playoff round, though Cluj’s resilience may keep it competitive early.
The Most Popular
-
13 Aug. UEFA Super Cup - Paris Saint Germain (PSG) VS Tottenham Hotspur Prediction -
12th Aug. International Club Friendly - Monza VS Inter Milan Prediction -
Prediction: August 11th Liga Portugal FC Porto vs Vitoria Guimaraes -
Persib Poised for Victory in Crucial AFC Play-Off Clash -
13 Aug. England League Cup - Bolton Wanderers VS Sheffield Wednesday Prediction -
12th Aug. England League Cup - Coventry City VS Luton Town Prediction
