Sporting Braga vs Lazio Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | UEFA Europa League, January 30, 2025

Sporting Braga vs Lazio Preview

• Competition: UEFA Europa League.
• Date: Thursday, January 30.
• Time: 8:00 PM GMT.
• Venue: Estadio Municipal de Braga.

Sporting Braga vs Lazio will take place at the Estadio Municipal in the late kick-off slot in the UEFA Europa League in the last round of group stage matches on January 30.

The hosts are 27^th in the table with seven points from as many games. The situation is plain and simple for Braga – they must win to stand any chance of going through to the next round. Any other result will result in elimination. They have won three of their last five matches across competitions, losing the other two, scoring seven and conceding six goals. With a 3-0 win against Boavista in their last match, Sporting Braga will be confident for the next one too.

Lazio, on the other hand, lead the table with 19 points from seven matches. They have already qualified for the round of 16 and are one of three unbeaten sides in the Europa League alongside Manchester United and Galatasaray. However, with just two wins in their last five matches, they seem to have hit a rough patch. With two defeats and one draw making up the other results, they will look to get back to winning ways and prevent any mishaps before the knockouts.

On that note, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.

Sporting Braga Team News

Manager Carlos Carvalhal fielded a strong lineup in his team’s last match as they secured a comfortable win on home soil. Each starter and all the five used substitutes put in strong performances, and there were no new injuries or suspensions to report.

However, they will be without two players who are suspended for the next match. Carvalho and Bruma picked up red cards last time out and will miss the next match for sure, and will also miss the next knockout round should they go through.

Lazio Team News

Manager Marco Baroni himself was sent off in a frustrating home defeat for Lazio against Fiorentina in their last match. There were mixed performances from the 11 starters and four subs, but no new players picked up any injuries or suspensions from the last match.

They will be without Mattia Zaccagni and Nicolo Rovella, who are suspended. Manuel Lazzari (knee), Matias Vecino (thigh), Nuno Tavares (muscle) and Patric (muscle) will all miss out as they continue to recover from their respective injuries.

Sporting Braga vs Lazio Predicted Lineups

Sporting Braga (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Lukas Hornicek.

Defenders: Victor Gomez, Sikou Niakate, Bright Arrey-Mbi, Francisco Chissumba.

Midfielders: Diego Rodrigues, Jean-Baptiste Gorby, Ricardo Horta (C).

Forwards: Ismael Gharbi, Roger Fernandes, Fran Navarro.

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Lazio (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Ivan Provedel.

Defenders: Adam Marusic, Mario Gila Fuentes, Alessio Romanogli, Luca Pellegrini.

Midfielders: Matteo Guendouzi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Boulaye Dia.

Forwards: Gustav Isaksen, Pedro, Valentin Castellanos.

Head-to-Head Record

Despite being two of the top teams in Portugal and Italy, respectively, Sporting Braga and Lazio have never faced off before although both sides regularly qualify for Europe. This will be their first-ever meeting.

Key Players to Watch

Roger Fernandes (Sporting Braga)

Since Bruma will miss the next match due to suspension, Fernandes is expected to deputize in his place. He has bagged just one goal this season, which has come from 0.45 xG, and will look to improve on his contributions. He has attempted three shots on target and provided one assist in his last five matches.

Pedro (Lazio)

The veteran Spaniard has rolled back the years with Lazio this season, contributing four goals and two assists to their tally. The goals have come at 2.44 xG, while his assists have come at 1.45 xA, meaning he still has some scope to improve in those metrics. In his last five games, he has had no goal contributions but made five tackles, two blocks and one interception.

Sporting Braga vs Lazio Prediction

Since there is no past record to go by, recent form guides will have to suffice for the same. Lazio have been phenomenal in the group stage so far and it will be tough to get past them. Hence, the Italians are the pick to get the better of Sporting Braga.

Prediction: Sporting Braga 1-3 Lazio.

Where to watch Sporting Braga vs Lazio live?

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