The Matchday 1 clash of the 2025/26 Europa League group stage between Braga (Portugal) and Feyenoord (Netherlands) will take place on September 24 at the Estádio Municipal de Braga. Braga vs. Feyenoord: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Braga
The Portuguese team began their Europa League journey from the second qualifying round. Carlos Vicens' side overcame Levski (0-0, 0-0, extra time 1-0), CFR Cluj (2-1, 2-0), and Lincoln Red Imps (4-0, 5-1). As a result, for the second consecutive year, the team will participate in the main stage of the tournament. In the previous edition, the Portuguese finished 25th, missing out on the playoffs only on tiebreakers. Braga's best Europa League result was reaching the final in the 2010/11 season. The club approaches the upcoming game with a seven-match unbeaten run in the Europa League (5 wins, 2 draws).
- The team has kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 Europa League matches.
- The Portuguese opened the scoring in 6 of their last 8 matches in this tournament.
- At home, Braga has won 6 of their last 8 Europa League matches (1 draw, 1 loss).
Predicted lineup for Braga (4-4-2)*
Lukasz Gorniczek – Victor Gomez, Gustav Lagerbielke, Leonardo Lelo, Sikou Niakate – Ricardo Horta, Rodrigo Salazar, Joao Moutinho, Jean-Baptiste Gorby – Fran Navarro, Gabi Martinez.
Feyenoord
Robin van Persie's side began this European campaign in the Champions League but failed to advance past Fenerbahce (2-1, 2-5). The Dutch last participated in the Europa League in the 2023/24 season, losing in the intermediate round to Roma. Last year, Feyenoord reached the Champions League round of 16, where they were defeated by the eventual finalists. Note that in 2002, the club triumphed in the Europa League, and in their last 7 matches in this tournament, the Dutch have suffered only one loss (3 wins, 3 draws).
- Both teams scored in 5 of Feyenoord's last 6 Europa League matches.
- In the Europa League, the team has not won away in 12 matches (5 draws, 7 losses).
- In 6 of their last 7 away games in this tournament, the club conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals.
Predicted lineup for Feyenoord (4-3-3)*
Timon Wellenreuther – Givairo Read, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Jordan Bos, Tsuyoshi Watanabe – Quinten Timber, Sam Steijn, Luciano Valente – Ayase Ueda, Anis Hadj Moussa, Aymen Sliti.
Referee
Nikola Dabanovic (Montenegro)
Matches – 14 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 44;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.1;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 7%.
Braga vs. Feyenoord: Match Prediction
Had the Portuguese performed well away from home, they might have advanced to the Europa League playoffs last season. In the previous tournament, the team earned 10 points in the group stage, with 9 of them at home. Two of Braga's three victories came against representatives of Europe's top five leagues, while they lost to Bodo/Glimt, who eventually reached the semifinals. This defeat was the club's only loss in their last 10 home Europa League matches (7 wins, 2 draws).
Feyenoord has won only three of their last 10 Europa League matches. Importantly, these victories were achieved at home. The club's last away success in this tournament dates back to 2019, and since then, their winless streak on the road has reached 12 matches (7 losses, 5 draws). Notably, during this period, the club failed to score more than one goal in 9 games. With such statistics, it will be challenging to break down the Portuguese defense, which has not conceded in 4 of their last 5 home Europa League matches. This is another factor supporting the prediction: Braga with a handicap (0)
* The lineup for each team is based on their last match.
