The Matchday 3 clash in the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 between Braga (Portugal) and Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) will take place on October 23 at the Estádio Municipal de Braga. Braga vs. Crvena Zvezda: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Braga
The Portuguese side has collected maximum points from their first two matches, defeating Feyenoord (1-0) and Celtic (2-0). This extended their winning streak in the Europa League to six matches. Notably, Braga has kept clean sheets in four of these games. The team has also shown impressive scoring form, failing to score at least two goals only once during this period. Carlos Vicens' men are currently in 4th place in the standings.
- At least one opponent has failed to score in 7 of Braga's last 9 Europa League games.
- At home in this tournament, the team has won in regular time in 5 of their last 6 matches (1 draw).
- In 5 of their last 6 home games in the Europa League, Braga has kept a clean sheet.
Predicted lineup for Braga (4-3-3)
Lukasz Gorniczek – Bright Arrey-Mbi, Gustav Lagerbielke, Leonardo Lelo, Yanis da Rocha – Florian Grillitsch, Vitor Carvalho, Gorby – Ricardo Horta, Amin El Ouazzani, Pau Victor.
Crvena Zvezda
The Serbian side drew 1-1 at home against Celtic in the first round and then suffered a 1-2 defeat away to Porto. Crvena Zvezda has only one win in their last 5 Europa League matches (1 draw, 3 losses), but they have managed to score in their last 7 games in this tournament. However, their streak of conceding goals is even longer, now extending to 11 consecutive matches. Vladan Milojević's men are currently in 26th place in the standings.
- Both teams scored in Crvena Zvezda's last 7 Europa League matches.
- The team is on a 5-match losing streak away in this tournament.
- In their last 8 away games in the Europa League, Crvena Zvezda has not scored more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Crvena Zvezda (4-5-1)
Mateus – Sol Yen Wu, Miloš Veljković, Franklin Tebo, Nair Tiknizyan – Timi Elsnik, Nemanja Radonjić, Mirko Ivanić, Tomáš Hendel, Vasilije Kostov – Marko Arnautović.
Forwards Xavi Babica and Aleksandar Katai are injured.
Referee
Espen Eskås (Norway)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 27;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.5;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 33%.
Braga vs. Crvena Zvezda: Match Prediction
Less than a month has passed since the Serbs' previous visit to Portugal. It ended unfavorably for Vladan Milojević's men, but they lost to a flawless Porto side with an acceptable score of 1-2. This defeat extended Crvena Zvezda's winless away streak in the Europa League to seven matches. In my opinion, the Balkan side doesn't have many chances to break this streak in the upcoming match. Braga has been performing excellently in this season's Europa League.
Carlos Vicens' men only faced problems in the second qualifying round, after which the Portuguese team went on a six-match winning streak. In 8 Europa League 2025/26 matches, the club has conceded only two goals. Although the Serbs regularly find the net in this tournament, breaking through such a defense will be extremely difficult for Crvena Zvezda. Additionally, Braga delivered a goal-scoring spectacle against the Gibraltarians, but the team rarely shows high scoring against opponents of good quality.
Considering these facts, my prediction: Braga will not lose and Total under 3.5 goals
