Braga vs Backa Topola Predictions

• Braga scored 17 goals across their final five home league games last term
• TSC’s last European game saw them concede six goals to Romanian opposition
• The visitors were beaten 3-0 by Red Star late last term and they shipped three goals to Partizan in their season opener

Braga make Champions League return

Braga return to the Champions League for the first time in almost 11 years this week, playing their first game since a 2-1 loss to Galatasaray in 2012. Braga lost their final four games in that group to fall out of Europe completely, but they return after taking third-place in the Primeira Liga last term.

The Portuguese side are expected to make it into the playoff round, as they’re heavy favourites to see off Champions League debutants TSC, who have played just two European games before. They fell to Romanian side FCSB on penalties in 2020, while they finished as Serbian SuperLiga runners-up for the first time last term to enter the Champions League for the first time.

Visitors to be blown away

TSC’s Champions League bow isn’t likely to be too enjoyable, as they head to a Braga side who finished last term in brilliant scoring form. They scored 17 times across their final five Primeira Liga games, while they averaged 2.35 goals per game across the campaign.

TSC’s last European game saw them concede six goals to FCSB, while they shipped three at home to Partizan in their season opener. They were beaten 3-0 by Red Star in the semi-finals of the cup last term, while they shipped seven goals across their final three preseason games.

Under any kind of scrutiny it’s hard to see the visitors’ defence holding up, so back the high-scoring hosts to hit at least three.