Europa League Quali, Playoffs, First leg, Thursday, 22.08.2024 at 21:30
Who will advance to the Europa League and who will go through to the Conference League group stage? Braga face Rapid Vienna in the Europa League play-offs. The Portuguese side are currently without their star striker Simon Banza. Curious: the club changed coaches after the first matchday, with Carlos Carvalhal taking over on the sidelines a few days ago.
In any case, I expect the first leg to be a fairly cautious match. As the favorite in this matchup, Braga will try to get ahead. However, the Viennese have made a good start to the new season. Their defense in particular has been impressive so far.
The home win is too risky for me, the “double chance 1X” odds too low. I’m convinced that not too many balls will find their way into the net
Solid start to the season for Sporting Braga. Four points after two league games. It started with a 1-1 draw against Estrela Amadora, followed by a 1-0 win against Boavista last weekend. Sportclub also mastered the last two rounds of the Europa League qualifiers.
The Portuguese side had little trouble against Petach Tikva (7:0 on aggregate) and then Servette Geneva were shot into the Conference League qualifiers with a 2:1 away win after a clean sheet at home.
They did not even have top striker Simon Banza at their disposal, who is struggling with a knee injury. Not an easy situation for the club, which cannot currently be described as a goal machine.
They have scored just four goals in their last four competitive matches. In my opinion, it doesn’t make much sense to focus on the high number of goals scored. Especially as the teams like to feel each other out at the start of the first leg
For “Over 1.5 goals” 1.20 is advertised, for over 2.5 goals Winamax offers 1.64 odds. Will it actually be three goals? In any case, Braga will be pressing hard to be in a good position for the second leg in Vienna.
Using Bet Builder to narrow down the “Over 1.5 goals” to up to four goals with the help of a “Under 4.5 goals” bet allows for total odds of 1.52, in other words: 2 to 4 goals in the match. In my opinion, that’s the perfect combination
In the 1X2 market, Braga is ahead, but only slightly at 1.60 due to the poor offense recently. The sports betting community, which can enjoy many odds boost promotions at Winamax, is clearly convinced of the home win. The Braga bet is considered a “hot tip” at Winamax, odds that are frequently played.
93 percent have opted for the Braga odds. In terms of personnel, the home factor and the fact that the bigger club wants to show off in front of its own crowd, the bet is indeed worth watching. But don’t underestimate Rapid
The visitors have been allocated 5.20. The draw is in the even 4.00 range, the “double chance X2” at 2.25. If only the net profit is considered, the X2 bet offers double the profit compared to the home win.
I see more value here, but all in all I don’t recommend betting on the outcome of the game. Vienna have made a confident start to the new season. Two wins and a draw, second place in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Only RB Salzburg won all their games. The Green-Whites have conceded fewer goals, just one – the best figure alongside reigning champions Sturm Graz.
Rapid celebrated a 1:0 win against Graz on the first matchday. The defense conceded fewer than ten goals in all league games. And the opponents have also broken their backs internationally so far.
Wisla Krakow went down heavily with an overall score of 2:8. They kept a clean sheet against Trabzonspor in both matches, winning 1-0 in the first leg and 2-0 in the reunion.
It is now clear that former Nuremberg coach Felix Klauß has done a good job with his team during the summer break
The Rapid team have won four of their last five competitive matches, only conceding a shocker in the third minute at Austria Klagenfurt. A lot has changed in terms of personnel.
In addition to new central defenders, investments were also made in the offense. Dion Beljo was loaned from FC Augsburg. Isak Jansson is causing a stir on the wing. Beljo has already scored a few goals in the still young season
Conclusion: Rapid Vienna have made a great start to the new season, picking up seven out of nine points in the league and knocking out Wisla Krakow and Trabzonspor in the Europa League qualifiers. A place in the European competition is therefore assured.
Whether it will be the Europa League or the Conference League will be decided in the clash against Braga. Sportclub clearly have the stronger team, but are struggling in front of goal in the absence of Benza.
Things could get complicated against a stable Rapid Vienna defense. However, a home win in the first leg is a must for the club, who have changed coach again after the first matchday in just over a month. I expect a cautious match that won’t turn into a goal festival.
My Braga Rapid Vienna tip: 2-4 goals in the match
