Preview: Malmo vs. Braga - prediction, team news, lineups

Braga head into Thursday's Europa League fixture against Malmo looking to build on their excellent start to the new domestic campaign.

At a time when the visitors are second in Portugal's top flight, Malmo are all the way down in seventh position in the Swedish equivalent.

Match preview

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There is a general acceptance that Braga will almost certainly finish in fourth position in the Primeira Liga every season, as well as potentially having a run in a European competition.

However, the start of this campaign has felt different with 13 points and 18 goals being recorded during their opening five matches of the season.

Although Benfica currently look in a class of their own, Artur Jorge has transformed Braga into a team which look like they could challenge for the league title.

Of course, it is still early days, but Braga do not look like they are missing David Carmo after the defender's big-money departure to Porto.

Four clean sheets have been posted in succession, and Jorge will expect to keep a fifth shutout against opponents who have lost their way this year.

The defending Swedish champions are currently down in seven spot, 11 points adrift of the leaders, and they are without success in their most three recent league games.

Caretaker boss Andreas Georgson may have been struggling to continue in his temporary role had it not been for their efforts during the qualifying rounds of this competition.

Malmo have come through ties with F91 Dudelange and Sivasspor to book their place in the group stages of European football's secondary competition, a year after featuring in the main stages of the Champions League.

These two teams are squaring off in a competitive fixture for the first time in their history.

Team News

Given the club's ambitions in this competition, Jorge is unlikely to make widespread changes to a team which is performing to a high level.

Veteran midfielder Castro may come into the team having featured as a substitute in each of the league fixtures thus far.

The same applies to forward Abel Ruiz, who has netted twice during those outings, while Diego Lainez is also pushing for an opportunity on the right-hand side.

Despite defeat to Elsborg at the weekend, Georgson will consider sticking with the side which had established a 2-1 lead heading into the final quarter.

Isaac Kiese Thelin netted twice during that fixture, taking his tally to 11 goals from 22 appearances for the season.

Malmo possible starting lineup:

Diawara; Beijmo, Nielsen, Moisander, Olsson; Zeidan, Rakip, Christiansen; Sejdiu, Thelin, Turay

Braga possible starting lineup:

Matheus; Fabiano, Tormena, Niakate, Sequeira; Lainez, Castro, A. Horta, R. Horta; Banza, Ruiz

We say: Malmo 1-3 Braga

Despite their poor domestic campaign, Malmo will be motivated to make an impact on the continent in a game which they will regard as winnable. However, Braga are scoring too many goals right now, and we feel that the visitors should run out comfortable victors.

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