Celtic vs Braga Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips Predictions

Celtic vs Braga Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: October 2nd, 2025 | Celtic Park | UEFA Europa League | 17:45 (BST)

Celtic's Europa League campaign faces a compelling test on Matchday Two as they host a talented, yet domestically fragile, SC Braga at Celtic Park. The fixture is set to be a clash of contrasting pressures: while Celtic aim to secure a crucial first home victory after their opening 1-1 draw, Braga arrives in Glasgow buoyed by a Matchday One win but with their manager under immense pressure following a disastrous run of league form. Adding an unusual layer of intrigue, the home atmosphere (often a decisive factor for The Bhoys in Europe) will be dominated by a planned supporter protest, creating a unique off-field backdrop that threatens to shape a night of high stakes and competing narratives.

Key Betting Tip: Celtic to Win at 1.96 odds (Betfred) represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our team of in-house tipsters.

Celtic vs Braga Predicted Lineups

Celtic Predicted XI: Schmeichel, Tierney, Scales, Carter-Vickers, Donovan, Hatate, McGregor, Nygren, Tounekti, Yang, Maeda

Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty, and Jota are all unavailable due to injury.

Braga Predicted XI: Hornicek, Gomez, Lgerbielke, Niakate, Arrey-Mbi, Moscardo, Moutinho, Leio, Zalazar, Horta, Navarro

Jonatas Noro and Mario Dorgeles are both unavailable due to injury.

Celtic vs Braga Current League Standings

Celtic are currently 17th out of 36 in the Europa League standings with one point from their opening game. Braga are three places ahead in 14th with the maximum three points from their opening game, but with a weaker goal difference than the 13 teams ahead of them.

Celtic vs Braga Head-to-Head Timeline

This pair have met twice before, in the 2010/11 Champions League final qualifying stage. They won a game each in a double-headed tie, with Braga advancing to the group stage, winning 4-2 on aggregate.

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

• August 2010: Celtic 2-1 Braga (UCL Qualifiers)
• July 2010: Braga 3-0 Celtic (UCL Qualifiers)

Recent Celtic and Braga Matches Analysis

Celtic Last 5 Matches:

• Celtic 0-0 Hibernian (Scottish Premiership)
• Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Celtic (Europa League)
• Partick Thistle 0-4 Celtic (Scottish League Cup)
• Kilmarnock 1-2 Celtic (Scottish Premiership)
• Rangers 0-0 Celtic (Scottish Premiership)

Celtic are yet to lose this season but have drawn four of their last six games. They have scored three goals in their last five games in the league and Europe, and were knocked out of the Champions League Qualifiers on penalties after two 0-0 draws with Kazakh team Kairat Almaty.

Braga Last 5 Matches:

• Braga 0-1 Nacional (Liga Portugal)
• Braga 1-0 Feyenoord (Europa League)
• Vitoria de Guimaraes 1-1 Braga (Liga Portugal)
• Braga 0-1 Gil Vicente (Liga Portugal)
• Rio Ave 2-2 Braga (Liga Portugal)

Like Celtic, Braga’s position in their domestic league table does not reflect their current form. The Portuguese side started the season going 10 games unbeaten in all competitions, however only two of those were domestic league wins. Braga are winless in five Liga Portugal games, recently losing to Gil Vicente and Nacional at home, teams they would expect to beat.

Celtic vs Braga Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with confidence in a Celtic win. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Celtic vs Braga Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Celtic to Win @ 1.95 (Betfred) - Our team of in-house betting tipsters have predicted a Celtic win in this fixture. Their superior form, home advantage, and head-to-head record justify confidence in this selection.

Key Players to Watch: Celtic vs Braga

Benjamin Nygren (Celtic): The Swedish attacker is arguably Celtic's most consistent offensive threat early in the season and will be key to unlocking Braga's defence. Across the Scottish Premiership season, Nygren leads the team in both goals and total goal contributions, registering 3 goals and 1 assist in his 6 appearances for an impressive rate of 0.78 non-penalty goals and assists per 90 minutes. Celtic's challenge has been converting chances into goals, and Nygren is the player most likely to provide the decisive final pass or clinical finish.

Ricardo Horta (SC Braga): As Braga's captain and primary creative force, Ricardo Horta possesses the quality and experience to exploit any defensive lapses from Celtic. Horta remains Braga's talisman in the final third, and while the team's domestic form has been patchy, his ability to produce match-winning moments is undeniable. He is expected to operate in a wide or supporting forward role, looking to combine with striker Fran Navarro. His influence will be central to Braga's counter-attacks, and he is a threat on set-pieces, meaning Celtic's defence, even one anchored by the solid partnership of Carter-Vickers and Scales, must maintain intense focus on his movement and distribution throughout the match.

Gustaf Lagerbielke (SC Braga): The Swedish centre-back's return to Celtic Park as an opposition player adds a fascinating emotional subplot to the fixture. Having recently transferred from Celtic to Braga, Lagerbielke is intimately familiar with the pitch, the atmosphere, and the tactical tendencies of Brendan Rodgers' side. He has quickly become a defensive staple for Braga, featuring heavily in their backline with over 660 minutes played across the new season.

Celtic vs Braga Match Facts

Broadcast Details: TNT Sports 2 & Discovery+ UK

Stadium Information: Often affectionately known as "Paradise" or "Parkhead," Celtic Park is the largest football stadium in Scotland, providing a famously intense atmosphere. The club moved to the current site on August 20th, 1892. Following extensive redevelopment in the mid-1990s, the modern, all-seater stadium has a capacity of approximately 60,411.

Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)