Braga beat Ferencvaros 4-2 on aggregate to reach Europa League quarter-finals
Real Betis overcame a first-leg deficit to defeat Panathinaikos in the Round of 16
Recommended bet: Braga to win
Real Betis head to Braga for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Wednesday night and will be aiming to get back to winning ways, having earned just one victory in eight across all competitions.
The Spaniards bounced back from a first-leg defeat in Greece to beat Panathinaikos 4-1 on aggregate in the last round, but now face a Braga side who have lost just once at home in 2026.
The latest Braga vs Real Betis odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Braga defender Adrian Barisic has not featured since February and remains a doubt with a muscle problem, while midfielder Carvalho is sidelined with a hip issue.
Betis are expected to be without midfielder Giovani Lo Celso who has not played since January due to a thigh injury.
Isco has a similar issue and, while back in training, the former Real Madrid playmaker is unlikely to be risked, while wing-back Angel Oritz will be sidelined until late April because of a shoulder problem.
The stats
Braga have kept more clean sheets (seven) than any other club in the Europa League this season and four of the seven goals they have conceded came in a 4-3 defeat by Genk.
Real Betis winger Antony is the joint-third top scorer in the competition having netted five goals.
Braga's only home defeat this calendar year came last time out when they lost 2-1 to FC Porto in the Portuguese Liga.
Betis are fifth in the LaLiga table, but have picked up just four points from their last six matches, drawing four and losing two.
Wednesday's game will be the first time Braga and Betis have met in a competitive fixture.
The latest Braga vs Real Betis odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Braga have reached the Europa League quarter-finals having been incredibly difficult to break down.
The Portuguese side have recorded seven clean sheets in 10 matches, only conceding against Rangers, Genk and away to Ferencvaros in the last round.
Not only are Braga solid at the back, they have lost only once at home this calendar year and so Wednesday's visitors have a tough task of taking anything from the first leg
The Spanish side came fourth in the league phase and are fifth in the LaLiga table, but have hit a rough patch, winning just once in eight games.
That victory came against Greek outfit Panathanaikos in the previous round of this competition.
Manuel Pellegrini's men will need to find inspiration to get a result, but the form table points to Braga taking an advantage into the second leg.
Backing the Portuguese side to win on Wednesday looks a smart move with Betis out of sorts and Braga so consistent and difficult to beat at their Estadio Municipal de Braga.
