Swedish outfit Elfsborg welcome Portuguese side Braga to the Boras Arena for a Europa League fixture on Thursday evening.
Both teams are languishing in the bottom half of the 36-team table having picked up three points from their opening three matches.
Match preview
![Elfsborg manager Oscar Hiljemark during the Allsvenskan football match between Elfsborg and IFK Göteborg on August 25, 2024 [on August 27, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/35/oscar-hiljemark.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Elfsborg manager Oscar Hiljemark during the Allsvenskan football match between Elfsborg and IFK Göteborg on August 25, 2024 [on August 27, 2024]")
© Imago
Elfsborg have made a mixed start to this season's Europa League, with a memorable 1-0 triumph at home to Roma on matchday two sandwiched between away defeats against AZ Alkmaar (3-2) and Galatasaray (4-3).
The Yellow Ones came close to completing what would have been a historic comeback against Galatasaray a fortnight ago; they were losing 3-0 at half time but they pulled two goals back to set up a nervy finish for the hosts, who eventually sealed the win by scoring a fourth seven minutes from time, with Johan Larsson's stoppage-time strike proving to be only a consolation.
Competing in the Europa League for just the second time in their history and for the first time in 11 years, Elfsborg currently sit 22nd in the 36-team table - level on points with the likes of Manchester United - and are only four points behind the top eight with five matches still to play in the league phase.
Managed by 32-year-old head coach Oscar Hiljemark, Elfsborg narrowly missed out on Swedish top-flight glory last year by goal difference, finishing second behind champions Malmo, and they are currently placed seventh in the Allsvenskan table with just one game remaining in the 2024 campaign.
The Yellow Ones won 1-0 at home Vasteras SK in their penultimate league fixture last weekend and before they wrap up their domestic season away against Varnamo on Sunday, they will endeavour to beat Braga for the third time in the Europa League, having previously won 2-1 away and 2-0 at home against the Portuguese side in 2009-10 qualifying.
© Imago
Braga head into Thursday's contest in buoyant mood as they have won four of their last five matches in all competitions, including each of their last three on the domestic front.
Os Arsenalistas picked up all three points in a 2-1 away win over Arouca in the Primeira Liga last weekend and they currently sit fourth in the table, two points behind Benfica in third, five points behind Porto in second and 10 points adrift of leaders Sporting Lisbon after 10 matches.
Braga's only defeat in their last five matches came in the Europa League as they were beaten 2-1 at home to Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt a fortnight ago. Sikou Niakate was sent off just three minutes after netting a 64th-minute equaliser, and the visitors took advantage of the extra man, scoring a dramatic 94th-minute winner to snatch all three points.
Carlos Carvalhal's side, who are down in 26th place in the 36-team table, will fancy their chances of returning to winning ways on the continent on Thursday, as they have won all three of their previous meetings with Swedish teams, most recently beating Malmo home and away in the 2022-23 Europa League group stage.
Interestingly, only three teams have had more first-half shots than Braga (26) in the Europa League this term, yet they have scored all three of their goals in the second half of matches. Braga have also scored four second-half goals across their last four domestic fixtures.
Team News
© Imago
Elfsborg's only injury concern at present is with forward Per Frick, who has missed the last four games in all competitions with an unspecified injury and is not expected to recover in time for Thursday's game.
Hiljemark is expected to name a strong starting lineup that should include attacker Michael Baidoo, who has 15 goals to his name, including two goals in his last two Europa League appearances.
Simon Hedlund and Niklas Hult could start as wing-backs, with Timothy Ouma and Besfort Zeneli linking arms in centre-midfield, while Terry Yegbe and Ibrahim Buhari may be joined in central defence by Sebastian Holmen.
As for Braga, Bright Arrey-Mbi is ruled out with a muscle injury, while Robson Bambu, who has been sidelined since August with a thigh problem, is doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Sikou Niakate is suspended after being sent off last time out, so Joao Ferreira and Paulo Oliveira are expected to play alongside each other in central defence.
Amine El Ouazzani scored his seventh goal of the season against Arouca last weekend and is expected to lead the line once again, with Bruma, Ricardo Horta and 18-year-old Roger Fernandes all in contention to provide support in attack.
Elfsborg possible starting lineup:
Pettersson; Buhari, Holmen, Yegbe; Hedlund, Ouma, B. Zeneli, Hult; A. Zeneli, Baidoo, Qasem
Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Gomez, Ferreira, Oliveira, Marin; Moutinho, Carvalho; Bruma, R. Horta, Fernandes; El Ouazzani
We say: Elfsborg 2-2 Braga
Goals are to be expected in this fixture on Thursday; while the net has rippled at least three times in nine of Braga's last 10 matches, there have been at least three goals scored in seven of Elfsborg's last nine games.
Both teams will fancy their chances of coming out on top in this one and claiming three valuable Europa League points, but it is difficult to separate them at present, so the spoils may be shared on this occasion.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
