Braga Form
In the previous round, the club knocked out Ferencvaros. Although the Portuguese side lost the first leg away from home 0:2, they then produced an impressive comeback, scoring four unanswered goals in front of their own fans. In one match, Braga scored more than in their previous five Europa League games combined (three goals). At the same time, the team kept a clean sheet for the fourth time in their last five European matches. As a result, the club reached the Europa League quarter-finals for the first time since 2022, when Braga were knocked out by Rangers. Braga's best achievement in this competition remains reaching the final in the 2010/11 season, with the decisive game against Porto ending in a narrow defeat (0:1).
- At least one team have failed to score in five straight Braga matches in the Europa League.
- The club have avoided defeat in five of their last six matches in this competition (three wins, two draws).
- Braga have scored in regular time in seven consecutive home Europa League games.
Potential Braga Lineup (3-4-3)*
Lukas Hornicek – Gustaf Lagerbielke, Sikou Niakate, Bright Arrey-Mbi – Victor Gomez, Florian Grillitsch, Jean-Baptiste Gorby, Gabri Martinez – Ricardo Horta, Rodrigo Salazar, Pau Victor.
Midfielder Rodrigo Salazar will miss out through injury. The participation of midfielder Vitor Carvalho is in doubt.
Betis Form
Like Braga, the Spanish side lost the first leg in the last 16, but away at Panathinaikos the club conceded only one goal. A week later, Betis made amends and thrashed their opponent 4:0 on home soil. The team scored four goals in the Europa League for the first time since a home match against Aris in November 2023 (4:1). Before that, they had failed to keep a clean sheet in five European matches. It is also worth noting that Betis have already made history, as they have never previously reached the quarter-final stage of the Europa League.
- At least two goals have been scored in six of Spain's last seven Europa League matches.
- The club's all-or-nothing run in this tournament has lasted seven games (five wins, two defeats).
- At least one team failed to score in seven of Betis' last eight away matches in the Europa League.
Potential Betis Lineup (4-4-2)*
Pau Lopez – Natan, Ricardo Rodriguez, Hector Bellerin, Marc Bartra – Pablo Fornals, Sofyan Amrabat, Antony, Abde Ezzalzouli – Aitor Ruibal, Cucho Hernandez.
First-choice defender Diego Llorente has served his suspension. Midfielders Isco and Giovani Lo Celso, as well as defenders Junior Firpo and Angel Ortiz, will not be fit for the match due to injuries.
Who Will Referee the Match
Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Matches – 12 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 39;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.2;
Red cards shown – 5;
Fouls per match on average – 19;
Penalties – 33%.
* For each team, the starting XI from their previous match in this tournament is listed.
