The hosts are heading into the match on the back of a 3-2 defeat at IF Elfsborg in an Allsvenskan fixture on Sunday, while the Portuguese outfit secured a narrow 1-0 win over Vitoria SC in a league match a day earlier.
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Malmo FF will host SC Braga in their opening group match of the 2022-23 Europa League season at the Eleda stadion on Thursday evening. The hosts are heading into the match on the back of a 3-2 defeat at IF Elfsborg in an Allsvenskan fixture on Sunday, while the Portuguese outfit secured a narrow 1-0 win over Vitoria SC in a league match a day earlier. Malmo, who won the Swedish top flight title last season, came through the qualifying playoff round to earn a spot in the group stage of Europe’s second tier club competition, while Braga finished fourth in the 2021-22 Portuguese Primeira Liga standings.
? @EuropaLeague is finally here! ?#UEL pic.twitter.com/I758sR7ah0
— SC Braga (@SCBragaOficial) September 6, 2022
Malmo hasn’t had a great Allsvenskan season so far, having recorded just 10 wins from 21 games to collect 34 points, 11 adrift of leaders Hacken. Sky Blue are currently sitting at the seven position in the standings. In their recent outing against IF Elfsborg, Isaach Thelin netted a brace for the Sky Blue, but Michael Baidoo’s double and Andre Romer’s lone goal helped the hosts take all three points and hand a seventh league defeat to Malmo. Meanwhile, Andreas Georgson’s side defeated Sivasspor 5-1 on aggregate in the playoff round tie to reach this far in the continental competition.
Braga on the other hand, have made a strong start to their 2022-23 Primeira Liga season, registering four wins from their opening five games to be sitting at the second position in the standings, just two points adrift of the leaders Benfica. The Minho Warriors are heading into the match against Malmo on the back of some stunning form, having won four consecutive league games, scoring 15 goals in those quartet of games, while conceding none. In their last match against Vitoria SC, Vitor Tormena’s 98th-minute goal was enough to separate the two sides.
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Malmo forward Thelin who netted a brace in the previous games is likely to lead the line with Sejdiu and Turay in support. Zeidan, Rakip and Christiansen are likely to form the midfield-trio. As for Braga, head coach Jorge is unlikely to make any alterations to the winning formula. Banza would partner Ruiz up front with Castro and A Horta pulling the strings in the midfield. Tormena could partner Niakate in the heart of the defence.
Malmo probable starting lineup: Diawara, Benjimo, Nielsen, Moisander, Olsson, Zeidan, Rakip, Christiansen, Sejdiu, Thelin, Turay
Braga probable starting lineup: Matheus, Fabiano, Tormena, Niakate, Serqueira, Laines, Castro, A Horta, r Horta, Banza, Ruiz
The UEFA Europa League match between Malmo and Braga will take place at Eleda stadion on Thursday at 10:15 pm IST.
| Malmo vs Braga | Key details |
| Date | September 8 |
| Venue | Eleda stadion |
| Kickoff time in Sweden | 6:45 pm |
| Kickoff time in Portugal | 7:45 pm |
For the football fans in India, the live telecast of the UEFA Europa League is available on the Sony Ten network. You can also live stream through SonyLIV App/ website. Besides, the supporters in Sweden can watch the match between Malmo and SC Braga on V Sport Premium, Viaplay Sweden, TV6 Sweden . Meanwhile, those in Portugal can catch the live action via Sport TV Multiscreen and Sport TV1.
