Verdict: Braga win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to finish off the job and extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure, Braga will welcome CFR Cluj to the Estadio Municipal.
Braga
Starting with the hosts, picking up a first-leg advantage on foreign soil last week as they clinched a 2-1 victory in Romania, Braga will simply be looking to finish off the job here. Despite eventually settling for a fourth-place finish among Portugal’s elite last season, Carlos Vicens’ camp have impressed on either side of the summer break. Despite only edging past Levski last month thanks to what was a nail-biting 1-0 aggregate win, the former Manchester City coach will be smelling a golden opportunity here. Sat in the driving seat when they return to the Estadio Municipal on Thursday night, Braga have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 13 competitive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to March 2nd.
Braga Team News
Still dealing with a long-term Achilles tendon injury and not making a single appearance since the end of March, Jonatas Noro remains on the sidelines and will not feature here. However, aside from their academy graduate, Braga have reported a clean bill of health ahead of Thursday’s showdown.
Bagging a first-leg brace over in Romania last week academy graduate Gorby will feature in the middle of the park here. Completing a permanent switch from Porto this summer, one-time Valencia youngster Fran Navarro will lead the line here.
CFR Cluj
As for the visitors, missing out on the chance to claim a crucial first-leg advantage last week as they eventually fell to that 2-1 loss on home soil, CFR Cluj have a real mountain to climb on Thursday night. Despite extending on their Europa League qualifying adventure on July 31st as they snatched a 1-0 aggregate win against Swiss outfit Lugano, Dan Petrescu’s side have continued to show some major issues since opening up the 2025/26 campaign. Putting just four points in as many domestic appearances, the Romanian giants are scrapping it out at the foot of the table and will be bracing themselves for another monumental challenge here. In fact, CFR Cluj have failed to win any of their previous six matchups across all competitions within 90 minutes.
CFR Cluj Team News
Picking up a knock while in domestic duties earlier in the month and missing out against Braga last week, CF Cluj are once again expected to be without Romanian international Adrian Paun on Thursday night. Likewise, the duo of Simao Rocha and former Leganes are still sidelined with respective knee injuries.
Bagging what turned out to be a consolation first-leg strike last week, Sheriff Sinyan will partner Mateo Ilie at the heart of Petrescu’s defence here. Arriving from Italian outfit Fiorentina last summer, Louis Munteanu will lead the line in midweek.
Braga vs CFR Cluj Key Factors to Consider
- When Braga and CFR Cluj met for their first-leg showdown in Romania last week, the Archbishops collected a 2-1 victory.
- Braga have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 13 competitive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to March 2nd.
- Including that first-leg defeat last week, CFR Cluj have failed to win any of their previous six appearances across all formats within 90 minutes.
- Continuing on from last season, Cluj have remarkably mustered just a single away victory since the start of February.
- Braga have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters so far this calendar year.
Conclusion
Sat in the driving seat after landing that 2-1 victory in Romania last week, Braga will be looking to extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure with a statement. Along with suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous 13 competitive appearances across all competitions, the Portuguese giants have also gained a reputation for their extended dominance on home soil. Unbeaten at the Estadio Municipal so far this calendar year, the Archbishops are rightfully installed as a landslide contender on Thursday night.
Verdict: Braga win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
