On Thursday, Go Ahead Eagles are set to face Braga at De Adelaarshorst in a crucial Europa League match. The stakes are high for both teams as they aim for different tournament objectives.
Match Preview: Go Ahead Eagles vs. Braga
Go Ahead Eagles, needing a win, are currently positioned in 30th place in the 36-team Europa League standings. They started their Europa League journey with enthusiasm but have since faced a significant downturn in performance. After a promising start, including victories over Aston Villa and FCSB, they found themselves on a four-match losing streak.
In these losses, the Dutch side has struggled defensively, conceding two goals against RB Salzburg and Lyon, three against Nice, and a staggering four against Stuttgart. Their lack of clean sheets extends to 15 games, which deeply impacts their chances of progressing in the tournament.
Currently, Go Ahead Eagles are two points away from 24th place, occupied by Celtic. A win is critical for them to secure a more favorable position and avoid elimination.
Braga’s Performance
Braga, on the other hand, comes into this match with a robust form, having secured five victories in their last seven matches. They are currently placed fifth in the standings with 16 points. After a slip in their fourth match against Genk, Braga has rebounded well, earning seven points from the following three games.
The team needs a draw to solidify their place in the top eight, which guarantees advancement to the last 16. A heavy loss could jeopardize their position, especially with Porto closely trailing by two points.
Team News
- Go Ahead Eagles:
- Gerrit Nauber is sidelined with a broken leg.
- Pim Saathof, Soren Tengstedt, and Robbin Weijenberg are also unavailable due to injuries.
- Milan Smit has moved to Stoke City, leaving the team reliant on other forwards like Jakob Breum and Victor Edvardsen.
- Braga:
- Gabriel Martinez is suspended.
- Amine El Ouazzani might miss the match due to a foot injury.
- Fran Navarro leads the team with three goals, with Ricardo Horta as a key playmaker.
Possible Lineups
| Go Ahead Eagles | Braga |
|---|---|
| De Busser | Hornicek |
| Adelgaard | Lagerbielke |
| Meulensteen | Niakate |
| Kramer | Arrey-Mbi |
| James | Gomez |
| Linthorst | Moutinho |
| Twigt | Gorby |
| Sivertsen | Lelo |
| Breum | Horta |
| Suray | Rodrigues |
| Edvardsen | Navarro |
As the game approaches, Go Ahead Eagles will need to focus on overcoming their defensive struggles. Meanwhile, Braga aims to maintain their form and secure a solid position in the playoffs. Predictions lean towards a tight match, with many anticipating a narrow win for Braga.
