Will two solid defenses neutralize each other?
There were no goals in either half of the second qualifying round of the Europa League for either CFR Cluj or SC Braga. However, both teams then won 1-0 in extra time. In the first round, in which the Portuguese did not play, the Romanians had already played twice without conceding a goal. The tip that there will be no goal fest at the CFR Cluj Stadium this time around is therefore very popular against Braga. After all, the Alb-Visinii (meaning “white and burgundy reds”) have not conceded a goal in nine of their last ten international competitive games.
Although the Romanian defense will inevitably be under more pressure when the fourth-placed team in the 2024/25 Portuguese league table comes to Cluj-Napoca, the Arcebispos held Levski Sofia to a draw over four halves and are not exactly known for their attacking flair. In their last five European competitive games, the northern Portuguese have scored only two goals in regular time, which is why our prediction for CFR Cluj against Braga is for a low-scoring first leg in which we believe the visitors will score no more than one away goal.
The Romanians’ home strength could also be a factor. Not only did the Alb-Visinii win their only home game against SC Braga 3-1, but they have also remained unbeaten in their last eight European home games (five wins, three draws). This is also due to the fact that CFR Cluj kept a clean sheet in seven of these eight home games and conceded only one goal in a 1-1 draw against Adana Demirspor. However, four of the Romanians’ last ten European competitive games ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, which would certainly not be the worst starting position for SC Braga.
CFR Cluj – Braga Head-to-head record / H2H record
Head to head: 2 – 0 – 0
The two teams crossed paths once before in the 2012/13 season. Back then, they played each other in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. After winning their away game in northern Portugal 2-0, the Romanians also celebrated a 3-1 victory over SC Braga at home, giving them the clear upper hand in the head-to-head record.
CFR Cluj – Braga Tip
Although the Alb-Visinii are ahead in the head-to-head comparison, we see the northern Portuguese as having the overall advantage. Incidentally, the betting providers agree. For example, Betano is offering odds of just 1.15 that the Arcebispos will qualify for the playoffs after the first and second legs. Despite being clear favorites, however, the away game in Cluj-Napoca will certainly not be an easy affair for SC Braga. After all, the Romanians have kept a clean sheet in nine of their last ten European competitive games and know how to defend effectively.
Basically, we would not rule out any of the three possible outcomes, especially in the first leg, which is why it makes even more sense to bet on a low-scoring game, which also has a not insignificant chance of ending 0-0. However, most eventualities are covered by betting on under 2.5 goals, which we therefore recommend as our primary bet.
For a maximum of two goals in the first leg, ODDSET is offering odds of 1.63 for CFR Cluj against Braga, which we are betting on with five out of ten units. On the other hand, those who are not afraid to take a risk can get odds of 9.50 at Interwetten for a 0-0 result.
