- The aggregate is level at 1-1 after a nervy first leg in Portugal.
- Betis are a solid team but have lacked conviction in closing out games in LaLiga this season.
- Braga are a tough nut to crack in Europe, as their comeback against Ferencváros proved last round.
Tense tie awaits its conclusion
Real Betis and SC Braga, in their first ever official UEFA meeting, played a tense first leg in Portugal that has left the tie locked at 1 - 1 ahead of Thursday’s second leg at La Cartuja. The winner will go on to play in the semi-final of the second tier competition and that carries plenty of prestige and prize money with it, but which side is most likely to edge through?
Betis are running in the top-six in LaLiga and trying to win the Europa League in the same season would be an amazing feat for Manuel Pellegrini’s men, but it won’t be easy against Braga, who are inside the top-four in Primeira Liga and balancing league ambitions with a spirited European run.
Betis have drawn their last three games in all competitions after trouncing Panathinaikos 4 - 0 in the last round of this competition, while Braga are fresh from a 1 - 0 win at Arouca and showed their mettle when coming back from two goals down against Ferencváros in the knockout round previously.
Pellegrini’s plan for Betis
Pellegrini has been true to his philosophy and tried to build a Betis side in his own image this season, balancing the team through positional play, controlled possession and intelligent transitions. Betis have the ability to play a fluid 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system with Antony and Pablo Fornals as the creative engines, while Cucho Hernández, who converted the crucial penalty in the first-leg, can lead the line well.
Braga have a different style to Betis, but one that can also be very effective. Carlos Vicens has instilled a Guardiola-esque possession-based approach, but with more wing-focus, which makes them a very dangerous side on the counter attack. Ricardo Horta captains them and is the talisman, while Florian Grillitsch, who scored their opener in the first-leg, brings midfield presence and set-piece threat.
Visitors can make a mark in Seville
With the aggregate level at 1 - 1, the bookmakers have Betis as 17/20 favourites, which seems very short given Braga are 31/10 and the draw 5/2. That’s because Pellegrini’s cup pedigree makes the hosts a real problem for any side in the knock-out rounds, especially at home.
The visitors have done it all before in 2011 when they reached the Europa League final and their recent European formline of W-D-W-L-W-L suggests they can dig in and grind out results when they need to. Vicens’ tactics and squad depth, with Pau Víctor and Fran Navarro ready to pounce on counter attacks, should make Braga a threat on Thursday.
Over 2.5 goals is a shade favourite at 9/10, which seems about right given this could easily be a tight match or a more open affair depending on who controls the midfield battle. The weather is likely to be warm and clear for the contest in Seville, so we’re expecting an open game and backing Betis to edge Braga by a single goal in a 2-1 victory that would see them through.
