Team Form: Braga
In the previous round, the club knocked out Ferencvarosi TC. Although the Portuguese side lost the first leg away from home 0:2, they then produced a superb comeback, scoring four unanswered goals in front of their own fans. In one match, Braga scored more than they had in the five previous Europa League games combined (3 goals). At the same time, the team kept a clean sheet for the fourth time in their last five European matches. This saw the club reach the Europa League quarter-finals for the first time since 2022, when the Portuguese side were eliminated by Rangers FC. Braga's best achievement in this competition remains reaching the final in the 2010/11 season, where the decisive match against Porto ended in a narrow defeat (0:1).
- At least one team has failed to score in five straight Europa League matches involving the Portuguese side.
- The club have avoided defeat in five of their last six matches in this European competition (3 wins, 2 draws).
- Braga have scored in normal 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 Zalazar, Pau Victor.
Midfielder Rodrigo Zalazar will miss out through injury. The participation of midfielder Vitor Carvalho is in doubt.
Team Form: Betis
Like Braga, in the last 16 the Spanish side lost the first leg, although away to Panathinaikos FC the club conceded just one goal. A week later, Betis put things right and thrashed their opponents 4:0 on home soil. The team scored four goals in the Europa League for the first time since the home match against Aris in November 2023 (4:1). Before that, they had failed to keep a clean sheet in five European matches in a row. It is worth noting that Betis have already made history, as they had never previously reached the quarter-final stage of the Europa League.
- At least two goals have been scored in six of the Spanish side's last seven Europa League matches.
- The club's win-or-lose run in this tournament has lasted seven games (5 wins, 2 defeats).
- At least one team failed to score in seven of Betis' previous eight away Europa League matches.
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 ready 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;
Yellow cards per match (average) – 3.2;
Red cards shown – 5;
Fouls per match (average) – 19;
Penalties – 33%.
* For each team, the starting XI from its previous match in this tournament is listed.
