With just two group matches remaining in the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League, time is running out for teams to book their place in the knockout stages of the competition in the New Year. Group C is very nicely poised with Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad causing a shock buy sitting top after 4 games played on 8 points. They are yet to lose a match in the competition and know a win at home over bottom club Istanbul Basaksehir will secure their qualification. This leaves Braga and Hoffenheim battling it out for the final qualifying place and the teams meet in Portugal on Thursday night.
Europe League – RNA, Sinsheim, Istanbul – Thursday 2nd November – 20:05 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 5/2 at William Hill |
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TSG HoffenheimBraga Form
Braga start this match in second place in Europa League Group C having picked up 7 points from their 4 games played. The Portuguese club have defeated Hoffenheim away and Istanbul Basaksehir at home, while also picking up a point at group leaders Ludogorets Razgrad. Their only defeat has come at home to the Bulgarian group leaders.
Recent form has not been great for Braga, who have failed to win in their last 3 games but the draws at Ludogorets Razgrad in the Europa League and Sporting Lisbon in the domestic league were good results. Braga have lost 2 of their 9 home games this season, winning 4 of the last 5, scoring in each of those games.
Hoffenheim Form
Hoffenheim were regarded as the favourites to win this group before a ball was kicked but now they face a struggle to qualify having picked up just 4 points from their 4 games played. Their only victory has come at home to bottom placed Istanbul Basaksehir, with the additional point coming courtesy of a 1-1 draw with the same team away from home.
Having lost at home to Braga on the opening matchday of this group, Hoffenheim will be expecting a tough match and the German club are yet to keep a clean sheet in the competition. Recent form has produced just 1 win in their last 6 games in all competitions but they are undefeated in the last 3 having drawn 1-1 at home with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on the weekend.
Team News
Braga have some injury concerns ahead of this game and Wilson Eduardo, Mauro and Lazar Rosic will miss out. The Portuguese also have doubts over the fitness of Marafona and Sequiera. Hoffenheim make the short trip to Portugal without defender Pavel Kaderabek and striker Meris Skenderovic. Ermin Bicakcic and Adam Szalai are doubtful.
Top Betting Tips
With Hoffenheim having scored and conceded in all 4 of their Europa League matches this season and Braga in good goal scoring form at home, this is another match where both teams to score looks a good bet. Both teams to score is 8/15 at Ladbrokes.
Braga do not need to come out and win this game, meaning they can sit back and try and catch the visitors on the break and that should suit them nicely. Braga are 5/2 with Ladbrokes to win the match. You can also get 9/2 with Ladbrokes for Braga to win and both teams to score.