Braga vs Hoffenheim Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | Europa League, November 28, 2024

Braga vs Hoffenheim Preview

• Tournament: Europa League
• Date: Thursday, Nov 28
• Kick-off Time: 08:00 pm GMT
• Venue: Estádio Municipal de Braga, Portugal

Portuguese club Braga will play host to the struggling Hoffenheim side in their fifth game of the 2024/25 Europa League season at Estádio Municipal de Braga. Both teams have been struggling on the domestic front in recent games and will be aiming for their second win of the competition.

Hosts Braga are undergoing a mixed start to the new season under head coach Carlos Carvalhal and are winless in their last three Europa League games. Their domestic record has been decent so far as they are currently sitting 5th in the Portuguese league standings. Os Arcebispos will be desperate for their second Europa League win and end their three-game winless run in the competition.

Meanwhile, Hoffenheim have endured a turbulent start to the new campaign and have sacked club Pellegrino Matarazzo earlier this month. They are currently sitting 13th in the league table and are just four points above the relegation zone. They are not performing at the highest level in both competitions and have failed to win points consistently.

Braga Team News

For the home side, Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Zalazar remains a major doubt with his muscle injury. Defender Sikou Niakate has returned from his suspension and will be available for this tie.

Hoffenheim Team News

As for the visitors, they are without the services of defenders Christopher Lenz, Ozan Kabak and Stanley N’Soki with their respective injuries. Midfielders Grischa Promel and Finn Becker are also expected to remain sidelined for this tie. Forward Ihlas Bebou is expected to return from his injury in late December.

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Braga vs Hoffenheim Predicted Lineups

Braga predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Lima

Defenders: Oliveira, Ferreira, Bambu, Ribeiro

Midfielders: Horta, Carvalho

Forwards: Bruma, Moutinho, Fernandes; El Ouazzani

Hoffenheim predicted lineup (4-3-1-2):

Goalkeeper: Baumann

Defenders: Kaderabek, Chaves, Akpoguma, Jurasek

Midfielders: Stach, Grillitsch, Bischof

Forwards: Kramaric; Berisha, Bulter

Head-to-Head Record

The two sides have faced off only twice in the past, with Braga winning both of those games.

Last few results:

Key Players to Watch in Braga vs Hoffenheim

Bruma (Braga)

Portuguese forward Bruma made a mixed start to the new campaign and have bagged seven goals and seven assists in 20 matches across all competitions. He has scored twice in the Europa League this season and would be eager to add more to his tally in this midweek tie against Hoffenheim.

Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim)

Croatian forward Andrej Kramaric has made a solid start to the domestic campaign and has registered five goals in 10 Bundesliga games this season. He has started the season on fire and is one of the unsung heroes in the Hoffenheim squad.

Braga vs Hoffenheim Prediction

The Portuguese giants remain winless in their last three Europa League games and have continued to struggle for results in the competition. They are coming off a 2-0 win over Leixões in the domestic cup and were thrashed 2-4 by Sporting CP in the game before that. The home side have made a decent start to their domestic league and are fifth in the league standings.

As for Hoffenheim, they have sacked head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo on November 11 and are languishing just four points above the relegation zone. Christian Ilze who took charge of the squad following the international squad needs a positive run of results to make his mark. Die Kraichgaue have won only twice in their last seven matches across all competitions.

Also Read: Anderlecht vs FC Porto Prediction, Preview, Team News, and Lineups | UEFA Europa League, November 28, 2024

Predicted Score: Braga 1-3 Hoffenheim

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