Union Saint Gilloise vs SC Braga Prediction

Saint Gilloise and SC Braga will both be looking to head into the final match week of the Europa League “league” phase virtually assured of their qualification for the play-off round, with both sides lingering close to or outside 24th place, the final qualification spot.

Should Union Saint Gilloise win, they would guarantee at least a play-off round match, with their points difference considerable enough to secure their spot there a game early. If Braga emerge victorious, they would still require a draw in their final game to guarantee their spot in the next round.

As the high states game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick off.

Key Statistics

• Despite their relatively low placing of 20th, Saint Gilloise have the third best defensive record in the competition, conceding just five goals.
• However, only Olympiakos (8) have seen fewer total goals scored across their games than the Belgian side, with both sides totaling a measly 10 goals.
• Lying fourth in the Liga Portugal, Braga are underperforming in the Europa League. Sat in 25th, they have fallen far below pre-season expectations.
• Importantly, Braga have failed to beat Saint Gilloise in their two prior meetings, losing and drawing to the Belgian team when placed in Group D in 2022.

Union Saint Gilloise Preview

Union Saint Gilloise Predicted Lineup (3-5-2): Anthony Moris (GK); Koki Machida, Fedde Leysen, Ross Sykes; Alessio Castro-Montes, Sofiane Boufal, Anouar Ait El Hadj, Noah Sadiki, Ousseynou Niang; Franjo Ivanovic, Promise Akinpelu.

Sitting third in the Belgian first division, Saint Gilloise are very much continuing where they left off in 2023/24, a year which saw them finish as runners up to Club Brugge, as well as emerge as Belgian Cup winners.

Boasting the meanest defence in the division with just 19 conceded, they have carried that form into the Europa League, where more stubborn defensive work earned them important wins over OGC Nice and FC Twente.

With Braga being somewhat flat in the competition this season, Saint Gilloise will see this as a huge opportunity to guarantee their position in the knockout play-offs. They have recent history in this round, beating Frankfurt on aggregate last season to advance through to the knockout proper, where they fell to Fenerbahce.

They are a side with plenty of character, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them do well if they come away with a victory here.

SC Braga Preview

SC Braga Predicted Lineup (3-4-3): Lukas Hornicek (GK); Bright Arrey-Mbi, Sikou Niakhate, Victor Gomez; Yuri Ribeiro, Joao Moutinho, Jean-Baptiste Gorby, Roger Fernandes; Bruma, Amine El Ouazzani, Ricardo Horta.

Despite disappointing in Europe, Braga have had a relatively positive season through a domestic lens. Fourth in the league and three points clear of fifth, they have asserted themselves in the top four, and recent results have indicated they could attempt to surge towards third placed Porto.

Their Europa League campaign has registered at the opposite end of the scale. Shocking defeats to Olympiacos, Bodo/Glimt and a surprise draw to Elfsborg have left them on the brink of relegation.

While Saint Gilloise poses as a point-scoring opportunity, Braga’s final league phase game comes against Italian giants Lazio, and even if they win against Saint Gilloise, they will still need a point against Lazio to guarantee safe passage to the play-offs. This is a must-win for Braga if they are to have any aspirations of making a deep run here.

Union Saint Gilloise vs SC Braga Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 13/10/2022: Saint Gilloise 3-3 Braga.
• 06/10/2022: Braga 1-2 Saint Gilloise.

Union Saint Gilloise vs SC Braga Betting Tip

While Saint Gilloise have been in superior form to Braga in the Europa League, Braga have an experienced side full of players who have been in and around European qualification scenarios throughout their careers. With that being said, we are backing a narrow Braga win.

Union Saint Gilloise vs SC Braga Final Prediction

Saint Gilloise 0-1 Braga

Saint Gilloise will give themselves a chance thanks to their excellent defensive record, but a lack of ruthlessness in attack will see them waste opportunities and hand Braga the win.