Betting Tip
Braga won in Serbia, but only thanks to a penalty awarded midway through the second half. Carlos Vicens and his coaching staff should be concerned that the team failed to score from open play.
Braga are seen as one of the contenders to win the tournament, as this spring the team reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League. Ricardo Horta, who converted the penalty, and Pau Victor caused the opposition the main problems in the first game. The forward scored in three consecutive matches at the end of the 2025/26 season, so hopes are on him again now. The hugely experienced 39-year-old Joao Moutinho conducts attacks in the middle. The ball will certainly be mostly at Braga's feet.
Zeleznicar Pancevo are playing in European competition for the first time in their history, so 0:1 in their very first match cannot be called a failure. The team from Pancevo were occasionally hesitant when trying to play out from the back, but did not make a fatal error. They lack creative players who can regularly get into the opposition half without losing possession. Nikola Jovanovic had effectively their only chance of the match, but his long-range shot towards the near corner was off target. The penalty came after the defensive line lost its shape.
The passes into space that Moutinho can play could become a lethal weapon for Braga. If Zeleznicar Pancevo take the tie to extra time, or even more so if they go through to the next round after 90 minutes, it would be a major shock. A draw suits the hosts perfectly well. After what Braga showed in Serbia, we should not really expect many goals either.