Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Union Berlin and Braga take on each other at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei in a highly-anticipated Europa League game. Union Berlin aim to overtake Braga in second place, and we are positive that they will go all guns blazing at Artur Jorge’s troops. Midfielder Andras Schafer is back from suspension, while Janik Haberer is unlikely to feature against Braga after limping off with injury in a 2-1 loss to Bochum.
The visitors, on the other hand, played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Royale Union SG to retain second place in Group D, but they will have a big fish to fry in the German capital. Since Stadion An der Alten Forsterei will be packed on Thursday evening, we predict that Union Berlin will extend their winning run in the Europa League to three games. A man to watch in the away team will be Vitinha, who scored a hat-trick in the last group match, while defender Sikou Niakate remains in the recovery room.
Highlighted Player (Rani Khedira):
Just like his brother Sami, Rani Khedira started his senior career at Stuttgart. The midfielder made 56 league appearances for Stuttgart II, while playing nine matches for the first team. In 2014 he joined Leipzig and he has been playing for Die Bullen ever since.
Rani Khedira was born on 27 January, 1994 in Stuttgart and he has 2 caps for Germany U19 team. The Leipzig midfielder represented Germany U17 at the 2011 FIFA World Cup. Khedira played 15 matches for Leipzig in the 2015/2016 2. Bundesliga campaign and he certainly helped the team secure promotion to the German elite division. He is a central midfielder, but he plays as a defensive midfielder as well.
Khedira has a contract with Leipzig which expires on 30 June, 2017. His highest market value was €1,300,000 on 13 January, 2015. Rani Khedira was born in Germany, but his father is Tunisian. He is a right-footed footballer.
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.