Braga vs Spartak Moscow Predictions

Braga were beaten in their last match by Sporting CP 2-1 and in the Portuguese clubs’ last four matches the goals have flowed at both ends of the pitch. Spartak Moskva made it three wins from their last three matches when they defeated Swiss outfit Thun for the second time in the space of a week to progress through to the next qualifying round of the Europa League.

Both teams are similarly matched and the stats suggest we will see both teams score in Thursday’s 1st leg, and we’ve backed Spartak Moskva to claim a narrow victory. These two sides have never met before but both teams scored in each of Braga’s last four matches as well as in four of Spartak Moskva’s last six fixtures so we’re expecting both clubs to create chances on Thursday.

The form of both teams is almost identical over the last six matches with each picking up three wins, two draws, and suffering one defeat but Braga’s loss arrived in their last match against Sporting, in which both teams scored, while Spartak Moskva have won their last three matches and both teams have scored on each occasion.

Spartak Moskva have also won their last two away games against Akhmat Grozny and Thun and each of those matches ended with both teams scoring. Another reason why we’re convinced both teams will score on Thursday is that the visitors haven’t kept a clean sheet away from home in their last seven attempts and Braga’s last two home games produced goals at both ends of the pitch.

We’re confident that both teams will score on Thursday and have predicted a final scoreline of 2-1 in favour of Spartak Moskva. The visitors arrive in the midst of a three-game winning streak which includes victories in each of their last two away games. Braga saw their unbeaten run come to an end last weekend at the hands of Sporting CP and on paper, Spartak Moskva have more quality in their squad and should be able to repeat Sporting’s actions and claim a narrow victory.