The action continues in the Europa League as Elfsborg and Braga go head-to-head at the Boras Arena on Thursday. Both sides faced off over two legs in the group stages of the Europa League qualifiers back in 2009, with the Swedish outfit winning both home and away clashes.
Elfsborg returned to winning ways in the Swedish Allsvenskan at the weekend when they edged out Vasteras 1-0 on home turf courtesy of a first-half strike from Rami Kaib.
This followed an emphatic 5-0 victory over Eskilsminne in the Swedish Cup on October 30, a result which saw their four-game losing streak in all competitions come to an end.
Elfsborg now turn their focus to the Europa League, where they have lost two of their opening three matches, with a 1-0 victory over Italian outfit AS Roma on October 3 being the exception.
Braga, meanwhile, kicked off their Europa League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv on September 26, before losing consecutive games against Olympiacos and Bodo/Glimt in their two subsequent outings.
Carlos Carvalhal’s men head into Thursday’s clash fresh off the back of a 2-1 victory over Arouca in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, where they are fourth in the table with 20 points from 10 matches.
Braga are on a run of three consecutive wins across all competitions, scoring six goals and conceding twice since losing 2-1 against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on October 23.
Elfsborg vs Braga Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the third meeting between Elfsborg and Braga, with the Swedish outfit claiming two wins from their previous two encounters.
- Braga have won all but one of their most recent five matches, with the 2-1 loss against Bodo/Glimt in October being the exception.
- Elfsborg have lost just one of their last 10 home games across all competitions while claiming seven wins and two draws since the start of August.
- Braga are unbeaten in nine of their last 11 competitive away matches, claiming seven wins and two draws since the start of May.
Elfsborg vs Braga Prediction
After weeks of mediocre results, Elfsborg appear to have hit their stride once again and will be looking to get their Europa League campaign back on track.
However, Braga boast a superior squad on paper and we fancy them to pick up their fourth win on the bounce.
Prediction: Elfsborg 1-3 Braga
Elfsborg vs Braga Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Braga to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals - Yes (There have been three or more goals scored in nine of Braga’s last 10 matches)
Tip 3: Both sides to score - Yes (Both sides have also scored in five of the visitors’ last six outings)