The third day of the Champions League will take center stage in European club football as Braga will host the La Liga elites Real Madrid at Estádio Municipal de Braga on Wednesday.
After a decade of absence from the top European competition, Braga is back in the Champions League and they will be eyeing to make a huge impact this year. They have been part of the Champions League twice in the past and have been eliminated at the group stage itself.
Real Madrid is on a path of revival this year as they missed out on the Champions League trophy last year. They are at the top of the Group C charts with two consecutive wins against Napoli and Union Berlin. The top bookmakers in India have Champions League odds with them.
In the last 5 fixtures, the Whites have scored 7 goals in the first half of the match.
The betting tip is...
Real Madrid to score goal in first half
64 %
36 %
The Arsenalists are currently at the third spot in the Group C chart with one win and a loss in the competition. The fixture on Wednesday will be crucial if they want to continue their run in the Champions League.
Braga has been in positive form as they have scored in all the fixtures they have been part of. A 100% scoring momentum will definitely help them in their overall confidence against the visitors. An average of 59.31% of possession in the current season also shows their ability to hold the ball and strategise their attack.
The only concern for Carlos Carvalhal will be their weak defence as Braga has only seen one clean sheet in the ongoing season and that was against Panathinaikos during the Champions League qualifiers.
With an average of 5.69 shots on target, Ricardo Horta has 5 goals and 8 assists on his name. Alvaro Djalo is another attacker who will be in the spotlight as he has 6 goals and 3 assists on his name.
The Group C table-toppers will be motivated to continue their winning momentum against the hosts at Estádio Municipal de Braga. With 10 wins and a loss in the ongoing season, Los Blancos are in the process of reaching closer to the top position in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Real Madrid has scored in every game they have been part of with a 100% scoring record, The Whites have also maintained a 54.55% record for not conceding a goal this season.
An average of 59% possession has defined their dominating style of playing the fixtures and they also have 7.65 shots per match on target in the 2023-24 season.
The purchase of Jude Bellingham is turning out to be the best decision the club has made in recent times. He has 10 goals and 3 assists on his name this season with Joselu, has 5 goals and 2 assists on his name.
Andriy Lunin, Thibaut Courtois, and Éder Militão won’t be travelling with the team because of their respective injuries.
Predicted Lineup: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Daniel Carvajal, Aurelien Tchouameni, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham, Joselu and Vinícius Júnior.
Braga has clearly struggled in front of bigger teams and it was visible in their last Champions League fixture against Italian giants Napoli.
Real Madrid is in ferocious with a 100% goal-scoring record and hence we predict a win for Real Madrid on Wednesday.
