Besiktas Braga Odds : Carlos Carvalhal looks to finish Europa League job
Besiktas are firmly in the driver’s seat of their last 32 Europa League tie against Sporting Braga which continues this evening with the second-leg.
The Turkish outfit won 2-0 away from home in the first-leg and this puts them into an excellent position to progress. Not only did they win the game, they stopped their hosts scoring and managed two priceless away goals.
Their cause was no doubt helped by Braga’s Hélder Barbosa being sent-off after 29 minutes, but they still put in a thoroughly professional performance to secure the potentially decisive victory.
Besiktas can be encouraged by their home form in Europe this season though. They have won all four Europa League games in front of their own fans, scoring 12 goals along the way and conceding just two. This emphasises their favourites tag for tonight’s contest.
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As for Braga, well they have it all to do. Not only do they need to overturn a 2-0 deficit, but they need to conquer a Besiktas home record that has been exemplary in Europe this season.
The Portuguese side do have pedigree away from home in this season’s Europa League – they won 3-1 at English club Birmingham City, picking up respectable draws in their other three games on the road – but this is their toughest challenge yet.
Braga did make the final of this competition last year though – they lost 1-0 to Porto back in May – so to bow out at this stage the following year would be extremely disappointing. They need to give it everything they have got this evening.
Something that makes tonight’s match even more interesting is the fact that Turkish club Besiktas have a Portuguese coach, Carlos Carvalhal, and six Portuguese players including Manuel Fernandes, Hugo Almeida and Bebé.
How will they fare against the team sitting 3rd in the Portuguse domestic league as they try to turn this tie on its head?
Find out from 8.05pm this evening.
