Sporting Braga will look to capitalize on their first-leg advantage as they host CFR Cluj in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie. The match is set for Estádio Municipal de Braga in Portugal. A hard-fought 2-1 away victory in the first leg in Romania has put Braga in a strong position to advance to the play-off round.
Sporting Braga has been in scintillating form, boasting an unbeaten run of seven matches across all competitions, including five wins. The Portuguese side’s superior attacking prowess and tactical fluency were on full display in the first leg, with Jean-Baptiste Gorby’s two goals securing a crucial lead.
Playing at their home ground, “The Quarry,” where they have a formidable record, Braga will be confident in their ability to seal the deal and continue their European journey.
CFR Cluj, on the other hand, finds themselves in a challenging position. The Romanian side’s recent form has been less than ideal, with only one win in their last five matches. While they managed to score a goal in the first leg, their defensive and disciplinary struggles have been evident.
With a one-goal deficit to overturn, CFR Cluj will need to be at their absolute best to stage a comeback. Under the experienced leadership of coach Dan Petrescu, they will likely adopt a physical and direct approach, hoping to disrupt Braga’s rhythm and snatch an early away goal.
Tactical Analysis and Key Players
Sporting Braga is expected to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game. Their 4-3-3 formation allows them to use attacking width effectively and create numerous opportunities. The midfield, anchored by veterans like João Moutinho and the goal-scoring hero Jean-Baptiste Gorby, is the heart of their play. Their ability to deliver quality service to their forwards will be critical.
CFR Cluj will likely rely on a more reactive strategy. Their game plan will focus on being defensively sound and hitting Braga on the counter-attack. They will need to be aggressive in their challenges but must be careful to avoid the disciplinary issues that have plagued them recently. The form of their attacking players will be crucial if they hope to find the goals needed to turn the tie around.
Match Prediction
Given Sporting Braga’s strong home form, impressive recent run, and the psychological edge from their first-leg victory, they are the clear favorites to win this match. CFR Cluj’s poor form and disciplinary problems, especially away from home, make a comeback highly improbable.
Predicted Score: Sporting Braga 2-0 CFR Cluj (Braga to advance on aggregate)
How to Watch Sporting Braga vs CFR Cluj Live Stream
The second leg of this Europa League qualifier is scheduled for Thursday, August 14, 2025, with a kick-off at 2:30 PM ET. The match will be broadcast on various platforms.
CountryLive Stream & TV ChannelUnited StatesParamount+, beIN SPORTSUnited KingdomTNT Sports, discovery+CanadaDAZN CanadaPortugalSport TVRomaniaDigi Sport, Prima Sport
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
