Braga vs Shakhtar Donetsk Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Braga are in a promising position to secure a place in the Europa League knockout stages, but whilst they do hold their fate in their own hands it’s by no means a guarantee that they’ll progress. They currently sit 2nd but are just a point ahead of Gent in 3rd. With their superior head to head record Gent need a victory to stand any chance of qualification, but that’s a definite possibility and if they do that then Braga need to beat Shakhtar Donetsk.

Beating Shakhtar Donetsk doesn’t come easily either, as many teams this season have already found out. They have won all five of their Europa League group games so far and have scored 17 goals in the process. Domestically they are on fire as well, winning 15 of their 17 league matches and sitting ten points clear at the top of the table.

The visitors 2-0 win on Sunday made it ten wins on the trot for them, and their last defeat came all the way back at the start of August in Champions League qualification. Facundo Ferreyra has proved deadly so far this season, but he has missed the last three games and might not be risked for this clash considering they have already won the group.

Instead, Shakhtar Donetsk will turn their hopes towards Bernard. The left sided attacker has scored twice in the Europa League and always looks a massive threat for the Ukrainians. At huge odds of 6/1 to score anytime he looks the most profitable option for our anytime goalscorer predictions.

The result of this match might be of no consequence to the visitors, but they will want to maintain their perfect record and their hosts aren’t in the best of form at the moment. Their loss to Porto at the weekend made it two wins, one draw, and three defeats in their last six outings. At home they are unbeaten this season, but they haven’t come up against a team of Shakhtar’s quality yet.

The bookies have Braga down as huge favourites for this tie, and it’s hard to understand why. Shakhtar are unbeaten in 24 matches and have won 22 of them, and they have also won all five previous meetings with Braga. The hosts are difficult to beat at home though, so I think the best option is to go for a Shakhtar Donetsk Win or Draw Double Chance at 10/11, but I’m going for the win with my correct score predictions with a 2-1 backing at 12/1.