Europa League

2026-04-08 - Braga vs Real Betis

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Braga v Real Betis
Football: UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg
Wednesday 8th April 2026 - Kick Off 5:45pm
This game is live on TV

Braga

In a country dominated by clubs like Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Porto, it is always going to be difficult for one like Braga to break through the status quo. They are a long way behind the top three teams in the Portuguese top flight this season, but Braga have made the way through to the Europa League Quarter Final and this is an opportunity for them to return to the Champions League by picking up a big trophy.

To the credit of Braga, they were playing in the Champions League as recently as 2023/24, but finished 3rd in the old format of the Group Stage and dropped into the Europa League. Last year was a disappointing one as Braga failed to progress from the League Phase of this competition, but the side have beaten Ferencvaros in the Last 16 following a top eight finish this time around.

Braga had moved into the March international break having won 1 of the last 4 games played in all competitions, but they have returned with an away win over Moreirense. Playing at home has been a strength for Braga who had been unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions in front of their supporters before losing to League leaders Porto. Braga had won 8 of the previous 10 games at home in all competitions before that defeat.

Real Betis

There are two reasons for Real Betis to want to have a deep run in the Europa League- firstly winning a trophy that rivals Sevilla have won multiple times would mean a return to the Champions League. Secondly, even if Real Betis were to fall short, improving the Spanish coefficient may mean an extra spot open to La Liga for a Champions League place and that would be awarded to Real Betis if the season was to finish today.

Finishing in the top five in Spain is not going to be easy with Real Betis being pushed by the likes of Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad and Getafe. A big home win over Panathinaikos took Real Betis through the Last 16 of the Europa League, but they have won 2 and lost 2 of the 5 away games played in the competition so far this season.

Real Betis were held to a draw by Espanyol over the Easter Weekend and they have now won 1 of the last 8 games played in all competitions. During that run, Betis have been beaten 3 times, and all of those losses have been in the last 3 away games played.

Head to Head

This is the first competitive meeting between these clubs.

Prediction

The experience of reaching the Conference League Final will stand Real Betis in good stead as they try and negotiate the higher level of the Europa League.

This is a tie that feels like it will be decided by the home Leg for each team, much as it was for both Real Betis and Braga in the Last 16.

Both teams were beaten away from home in the First Leg, but they recorded 4-0 home wins over Panathinaikos and Ferencvaros respectively to move through to the Quarter Final.

On current form, Braga will be pretty confident in being able to put together some kind of lead against a Real Betis team that have not been the most consistent of traveller.

The La Liga club may have finished higher in the League Phase of the competition, but they have lost 2 of the 5 away games played in the Europa League. Real Betis will use the experience of last season to try and contain Braga here and try and bring the tie back home with all to play for, as they did in the Last 16, but the feeling is that the home team may do just enough to edge to a lead.

Prior to the loss to Porto, Braga had won 8 of 10 at home in all competitions and they will likely be the team on the front foot for the majority of this First Leg.

Real Betis have lost 3 away games in a row and may struggle to avoid another defeat here.