Preview: Braga vs CFR Cluj – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

With a slender lead from last week’s first leg, Braga will aim to book their place in the Europa League playoffs by finishing the job against CFR Cluj on Thursday.

The sides’ third qualifying round tie concludes at The Quarry, where the hosts won 3-0 in the league on Sunday; their Romanian rivals were given the weekend off and still hope to produce a memorable comeback.

Match preview

Braga took another step towards the Europa League’s 36-team league phase last Thursday, securing a controlled 2-1 victory in Transylvania.

Jean-Baptiste Gorby curled home the opener on 17 minutes, before Cluj pulled level through Sheriff Sinyan; undeterred, the Portuguese side regained their lead shortly after half time, as Gorby gobbled up a rebound from Fran Navarro’s initial attempt.

Under new coach Carlos Vicens – formerly an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City – Braga have started the new season strongly, winning three of their first four matches while conceding just one goal.

Previously, they came through a tough second-round tie against Levski Sofia after extra time, while their Primeira Liga campaign began with Sunday’s 3-0 win over Tondela.

Former boss Carlos Carvalhal signed off his third spell at the club after Os Guerreiros finished fourth in Portugal and narrowly missed out on the knockout rounds of last term’s Europa League, finishing 25th in the league phase – just one place short of making it through.

Now, 15 years since Braga were losing finalists in Dublin, they aim to make another deep run this season, and their record at Estadio Municipal – also known as A Pedreira (The Quarry) – suggests they can at least reach the playoffs.

Having won six of their last eight European qualifiers, while keeping clean sheets in half, beating Cluj looks eminently achievable.

Of course, the Romanians still have designs on snatching a playoff clash with either Lincoln Red Imps or FC Noah, and their deficit only stands at one goal.

Dan Petrescu’s team are certainly battle-hardened, having already progressed through two qualifying rounds, easing past Paks before sneaking through with an extra-time victory over Lugano.

However, consecutive home defeats – first to Universitatea Craiova and then Braga – have since stalled momentum; they were permitted a rest from league duties last weekend.

CFR may have finished second in the SuperLiga last season, but away from home they were never completely convincing, drawing more than half of their fixtures – and they have traditionally failed to travel well around Europe.

To turn this tie on its head, the Feroviarii must now replicate a two-goal win on their last visit to Braga almost 13 years ago, when they came out on top in the Champions League group stage – otherwise, they will drop down to the Conference League.

Braga Europa League form: D W W

Braga form (all competitions): D W W W

CFR Cluj Europa League form: D W D W L

CFR Cluj form (all competitions): D D L W L L

Team News

Still getting to know his new squad, Carlos Vicens made eight changes to Braga’s XI at the weekend – only Paulo Oliveira, first-leg hero Jean-Baptiste Gorby and goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek were retained.

So, it remains to be seen if Amine El Ouazzani will continue alongside ex-Barcelona striker Pau Victor up front, amid strong competition for places. Alternatively, Fran Navarro – who has made his loan move from Porto permanent – and summer signing Mario Dorgeles may be preferred. 

With progress to the playoffs still on the line, key players such as skipper Ricardo Horta and his vastly experienced vice-captain Joao Moutinho are very likely to start, joining Gorby in midfield.

Meanwhile, Cluj have had a chance to rethink and recuperate following last week’s home loss, so Dan Petrescu could keep changes to a minimum.

Louis Munteanu is usually the visitors’ focal point, but they will be missing the influence of winger Adrian Paun, who joins players including Kenneth Omeruo, Karlo Muhar and Lindon Emerllahu on a long injury list.

Braga possible starting lineup: Hornicek; Gomez, Oliveira, Niakate, Lelo; Horta, Moutinho, Gorby; Zalazar, Victor, Dorgeles

CFR Cluj possible starting lineup: Hindrich; Rocha, Ilie, Sinyan, Camora; Djokovic, Fica, Korenica; Nkololo, Munteanu, Postolachi

We say: Braga 2-0 CFR Cluj (Braga win 4-1 on aggregate)

Not only do Braga boast an increasingly deep squad – particularly in attack – but they have also kept three clean sheets in four games this term.

So, the hosts are set to send Cluj packing with another defeat, dropping the Transylvanians down to Europe’s third tier.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

No Data Analysis info

Previews by email