Europa League preview and odds: Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sporting Braga

Published on: 12/04/2016

Europa League preview and odds: Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sporting Braga

April 14, 2016 21:05pm - Donbass Arena

Europa League - Quarter-final second leg (2-1)

Unbeaten Shaktar Donetsk will be confident of making the last four Europa League after securing a vital away win in the first leg of their quarter-final against Sporting Braga.

Shaktar Donetsk unbeaten in Europa league this season

Shaktar Donetsk did not fare too well in their difficult Champions League group, but since dropping to UEFA`s second tier competition, they have yet to lose a game.

After, drawing their first game against Schalke (0-0), the Ukrainians won their next four games in a row - including the 2-1 win at Braga in the first leg of this tie - and now look to be on course for a semi-final appearance.

The 2009 winners come into this game having lost just two of their last 15 matches in all competitions, and having won their last seven home league matches in a row.

Tough task for Braga

Sporting Braga will need to defy all the odds if they are to repeat their achievements of 2011 when they reached the final of this tournament. The Portuguese club are already trailing 2-1 heading into the away leg of their quarter-final against Shaktar Donetsk.

Their overall away record in this competition makes good reading with just two defeats in their last 11 Europa League away games. However, both of those defeats came in the last four games of this year`s competition. In addition, Paulo Fonseca`s men have not won any of their last five away games in all competitions, and have scored just one goal on the road in that same period.

Recent form (All competitions)

Shakhtar Donetsk: DWWLW

Sporting Braga: DLLWW

Betting odds and tips

Shaktar beat Anderlecht 3-1 in their last Europa League home game and should have no problems finishing off the job against Braga.

You can back the home win at 13/20 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 12/04/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (12/04/2016 14:32:21) but are subject to change.