Europa League

2026-05-07 - Freiburg vs Braga

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Freiburg v Braga
Football: UEFA Europa League Semi Final Second Leg
Thursday 7th May 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV

Freiburg

Just when it looked like Freiburg were going to escape with a draw from the First Leg of this Europa League Semi Final, an injury time goal has meant having to overturn a deficit. There would have been moments of positivity going forward, but Freiburg will need to defend more efficiently if they are going to take their place in the Final of this competition.

Domestically they are still fighting for a spot to return to UEFA competition, but this is a second route for Freiburg and, more importantly, the winning of the Europa League would take them into the Champions League. You can also not underestimate the chance to win a major trophy for the first time and Freiburg will take real encouragement from having won all 6 home Europa League games.

Freiburg drew 1-1 with Wolfsburg this past weekend, but that result means they have not won any of the last 4 games in all competitions, although 2 of those have been in draws. The side have won 3 of the last 5 at home in all competitions and the only defeat suffered by Freiburg in that time was against dominant Bayern Munich.

Braga

The big three in Portugal have run away at the top, but Braga are on course for at least a spot back in the Europa League next season. The players and fans will be thinking bigger after taking a 2-1 lead in this Europa League Semi Final First Leg and Braga are well aware that this is a route back into the Champions League.

A late goal saw Braga earn a deserve lead from the First Leg, but it is a narrow lead and they are going to have to dig in and produce another big performance. They found one in the Europa League Quarter Final when fighting back from 2-0 down to beat Real Betis 2-4 in Spain, and Braga have only lost 1 of 6 away Europa League games played.

Braga were held to a 1-1 draw by Estoril this past weekend, but that means they have only lost 1 of the last 9 games played in all competitions. However, that defeat came away from home and Santa Clara and ended Braga's 3 game winning run on their travels.

Head to Head

This is the first competitive meeting between the clubs hosted by Freiburg.

Prediction

No matter who gets through this Europa League Semi Final, they are likely going to be underdog in the Final.

However, both Freiburg and Braga have shown enough in this Europa League run to have a lot of belief in their own abilities and the place in the Final is up for grabs on Thursday.

The 2-1 lead for Braga is far from a decisive one, but they will feel they deserve to be ahead.

Now they have to show some resilience when travelling to face Freiburg in a Stadium where the Bundesliga club have won 6 straight Europa League matches. Some of those have been by big margins with the attacking football overwhelming visitors to this ground and Freiburg will certainly believe they showed enough in Portugal to be able to put Braga under pressure.

Of course they have to have a lot of respect for this Braga team and the run they have put together in the Europa League.

The win at Real Betis in particular impressed and Braga showed character, composure and quality in coming from 2-0 behind and ending up cruising through to the Semi Final with a 2-4 win in Seville. That can set them up in this away tie and both teams look capable of scoring goals in this one.

Three goals were shared out last week in the First Leg and the Second Leg could follow suit with Extra Time and Penalties all possible.