Braga vs Sheriff Tiraspol Predictions

• Both teams have scored in Braga’s last three home Europa League contests.
• Both teams have scored in four of Sheriff’s last five away European games.
• Braga’s European games this season have averaged 3.29 goals per game.

Goals set in stone at the Quarry

The second leg of Braga’s Europa League play-off round clash with Sheriff looks like it’s set up to feature a few goals. The first encounter in Moldova swung the way of the hosts on a controversial penalty decision just before half-time and they wrapped up a 2-0 victory after a catastrophic defensive error was pounced on by Adama Traore.

Braga can dig themselves out of trouble at The Quarry if they heed the lessons of last week and be more positive from the start. The aggregate score dictates that Os Arsenalistas come out all guns blazing.

Sheriff will be boosted by the availability of captain Gustavo Dulanto and midfielder Edmund Addo, who missed the first leg through suspension, while the visitors also enjoyed a free weekend to prepare for their trip to Portugal. Braga earned a 1-0 win away to Tondela thanks to Ricardo Horta’s predatory finish from Yan Couto’s inviting centre and both are likely to be key players on Thursday too.

Braga have given themselves too much to do

Carlos Carvalhal’s side have proven to be quite potent in European home games so far this season, hitting three against Midtjylland and four against Ludogorets, but this opponent is a cut above. Sheriff knocked the same Red Star Belgrade side that took four points off Braga in the group stage out of the Champions League earlier this season.

Yuriy Vernydub’s side know that, even without the away goals rule, they can enhance their prospects of progress with a goal here and, having scored in four of their last five Champions League away ties, we expect them to do it. Both teams to score looks a great option here at odds against given that it has landed in Braga’s last three home Europa League contests and in four of Sheriff’s last five away European games.

A 2-1 home win is forecast as Braga have shown the ability to score against better defences already this season, but they have probably left themselves too much to do from the first leg.