Braga vs. Red Star Belgrade – News and Probable Lineups

Braga is set to secure their progression to the next round of the Europa League as they take on Zeleznicar Pancevo at the Estadio Municipal de Braga for the return leg of their second qualifying round tie this Thursday.

The Portuguese team registered a 1-0 win in the first leg held in Sérvia last week, courtesy of a penalty converted by Ricardo Horta in the 67th minute, and they will strive to wrap up the tie in front of their home crowd.

Match overview

Braga emerged victorious in four out of their five pre-season friendlies (D1), and last week’s win in Sérvia marked their first competitive triumph since late April, having not secured a victory in their last four matches (D3, L1) of the 2025-26 season.

This winless streak included three draws in the Primeira Liga, and Carlos Vicens’s side finished fourth overall, with their solitary defeat in that period coming in a 3-1 loss to Freiburg in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final after a 2-1 victory at home in the first leg.

Having won seven of their last nine home European matches within 90 minutes (D1, L1), few doubt Braga’s capacity to get the job done on Thursday and progress to the next round.

The Portuguese team has also netted seven goals while conceding just once in their last two continental qualifying fixtures at the Estadio Municipal de Braga, making the only remaining question the margin by which they will advance in their inaugural Conference League campaign.

On the other hand, Zeleznicar is participating in European competition for the first time in their history after finishing fourth in last season’s Sérvian Super Liga, highlighting an impressive ascent for a club that was only promoted to the top league in 2023.

Radomir Kokovic’s squad kicked off the new domestic season with a 2-1 win against Radnicki Nis on July 17, but they were unable to build on that momentum, succumbing to Braga in the first leg last week.

The Sérvian side certainly made things challenging for their opponents, taking twice as many shots as Braga with eight attempts, three of which were on target, and the Diesel Locomotive will look to draw confidence from that performance as they pursue an upset in Portugal.

Nonetheless, inconsistency has been a challenge for Zeleznicar, who have managed to clinch victory in only two of their last seven matches dating back to the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign. This period has also featured four winless outings from five pre-season friendly games.

In fact, Kokovic’s side has only secured one win in their last nine competitive fixtures, although drawing five of those matches should instill some belief among the visitors heading into Thursday’s crucial game.

Team News

Braga seems to have come through the first leg without any new injury issues, although defender Sikou Niakate remains unavailable due to an Achilles injury he sustained during April’s Europa League quarter-final clash against Real Betis.

Victor Rodriguez, who returned from injury in last week’s win, is likely to retain his position in midfield, while Vicens is not expected to make many alterations to the lineup that secured victory in Sérvia.

Summer recruit Sergio Barcia made his competitive debut in the first leg and should continue alongside Victor Carvalho in central defence, with Bright Arrey-Mbi and Victor Gomez anticipated to complete the back four in front of goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek.

Experienced player Joao Moutinho is poised to once again anchor the midfield, while Pau Victor is expected to lead the attack, supported by captain Horta and Gabri Martinez on the flanks.

Zeleznicar also exited last week’s match without any new fitness concerns, so head coach Kokovic might opt for a similar starting lineup despite the loss.

Nikola Jovanovic, Simao Pedro, and Sylvester Jasper are anticipated to spearhead the attack again, while Janko Jevremovic should partner Kristian Sekularac and Clement Lhernault in midfield.

The back four shielding goalkeeper Zoran Popovic will likely include Uros Tegeltija, Mirko Milikic, Nemanja Vidojevic, and Nikola Djuricic.

Braga probable starting XI:

Hornicek; Gomez, Barcia, Carvalho, Arrey-Mbi; Gorby, Moutinho, Rodrigues; Horta, Pau Victor, Martinez

Zeleznicar Pancevo probable starting XI:

Popovic; Djuricic, Vidojevic, Milikic, Tegeltija; Lhernault, Jevremovic, Sekularac; Jasper, Pedro, Jovanovic

While the first leg turned out to be more evenly matched than many expected, returning to familiar surroundings should enable Braga to demonstrate the quality difference between the competing teams.

The Archbishops have established a strong home record in European qualifiers, and another emphatic victory looks to be the most probable outcome as they secure their spot in the next round.