Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Midtjylland and Braga face each other in a highly-anticipated Europa League game at MCH Arena. The Danes did well to beat ten-man Crvena zvezda in their last group game, with the team keeping their playoffs hopes alive. Midtjylland are likely to go all guns blazing at Braga, and we predict that they will find the net in Thursday’s clash. Paulinho returns from a domestic ban, while Hoegh should miss out with injury.
The Primeira Liga side, on the other hand, rolled over Santa Clara 6-0 in the Taca de Portugal, and they are leading Group F ahead of the trip to Denmark. Given their attacking potential, we believe that there is a big value in betting on both teams to score. When the two teams met in Portugal earlier in the process Braga defeated Midtjylland 3-1. Talented attacker Vitor Oliveira should keep his place in the starting XI after scoring four goals in the crushing of Santa Clara.
Highlighted Player (Erik Sviatchenko):
Son to an Ukraininian-born artist Sergei Sviatchenko, the 24-year-old defender Erik joined Celtic in January 2016. His transition to the Scottish giants have been alleviated by Celtic’s signing of his girlfriend Rudmose, who signed for The Bhoys women’s team in February this year.
Erik Sviatchenko began his professional career at FC Midtjylland in 2009, where he had been a starter in almost all of his appearances for the club. Key player for Midtjylland, Sviatchenko helped them to Danish title in 2014-15 as we as in securing progression to the last 32 stage of the UEFA Europa League the following season. After seven years at the Danish side, Sviatchenko moved to Celtic on a four-year deal.
He has so far made 14 league appearances for Celtic, but still got the chance to wear the captain’s armband in May. Due to dual citizenship Erik Sviatchenko was eligible to play for Ukraine, but he agreed to a call-upfor the Danish national team in 2015. He has so far earned only five caps for his country.
Highlighted Team (Braga):
Braga are a Portuguese club that have always been in the shadow of Primeira Liga giants Porto, Benfica and Sporting. Os Minhotos were founded on 19 January, 1921 and they originally played in green and white kits. After the World War II they changed their kits to red and they have been wearing red shirts and white shorts ever since.
Braga play their home games at Estadio Municipal de Braga, the stadium that was opened in December, 2003. Os Minhotos have yet to win the Primeira Liga title, but they finished the 2009/2010 campaign in second position in the standings, just five points behind champions Benfica.
In 2011 Braga participated in the Europa League final, but fellow Portuguese outfit Porto proved to be a big catch for Os Minhotos. Anyhow, that is regarded as the club’s biggest success. Vitoria de Guimaraes are considered Braga’s bitter rivals and the two teams face each other in the Minho derby.