CFR Cluj vs Braga Tips & Preview - Close contest in first leg clash

By Tolu Shotade

5 seconds ago

Tolu Shotade 5 seconds ago

Share this article

CFR Cluj host Braga in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers.
Cluj struggling with form; winless in last five matches.
Braga strong defensively; unbeaten in eight matches.

CFR Cluj vs Braga

CFR Cluj host Braga in the third round of the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, with both teams looking to advance.

The Romanians have looked a bit off colour lately and are also struggling to find their feet at home. The visitors have done some good work on their travels and can hold out for a draw in Thursday's first leg.

CFR Cluj News

CFR Cluj qualified for the third round following a 1-0 aggregate victory over Lugano after extra time. Both teams battled to 0-0 regulation time draws in the two legs before Sheriff Sinyan’s effort in overtime earned the Romanians the win.

While CFR Cluj will be pleased to progress, they are without a regulation-time win in their last five matches, while three of their four Europa League fixtures have ended in draws. Dan Petrescu’s team are also winless in their last three home matches and were beaten 3-2 by Universitatea Craiova in a domestic clash last weekend.

CFR Cluj often struggle going forward, and four of their last five matches have produced under 2.5 goals. Three of their last four fixtures in the Europa League have also produced halftime draws.

Braga News

Braga also needed extra time before seeing off Levski Sofia 1-0 on aggregate and reaching the third round of the Europa League. Having battled to 0-0 regulation time draws across the two legs, Fran Navarro’s effort proved the difference.

The Portuguese side appear to be building their recent form on defensive solidity, which has seen seven of their last 10 matches produce under 2.5 goals. Their two fixtures in the Europa League have also produced halftime draws.

Braga's overall form has been solid as they are unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions. Carlos Vincens' team are also unbeaten in seven of their last eight away matches.

Head to Head

There have been only two previous matches between CFR Cluj and Braga, with both teams meeting during the 2012 Champions League group stage. The Romanians did the double over the visitors, claiming a 2-0 away win before a 3-1 home victory in the second leg.

Verdict

CFR Cluj v Braga

Both teams have consistently served up low-scoring outcomes lately, and with four of CFR Cluj's last five matches producing under 2.5 goals, a repeat could be considered here. The Romanians have also played out halftime draws in three of their four Europa League matches, and a similar pattern is on the cards.

CFR Cluj have drawn three of their four Europa League matches, while Braga have been level at full-time in their two fixtures. Both teams are likely to battle to another stalemate in Thursday's first leg.

Under 2.5

Total Goals

@-129.87 - 3 Units

25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com

Draw

At Halftime

@113.00 - 2 Units

25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com

Draw

Full Time Result

@240.00 - 1 Unit

25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com