Maccabi Petah Tikva and Braga are set to face off in the Europa League, with Braga defending a two-goal lead from the first leg. Braga will be playing on neutral ground due to the security situation in Israel.
In the first leg, Braga dominated the game and were 2-0 up by the hour mark. They will be looking to secure their spot in the next round and improve on their performance from last year when they fell in the third qualifying round.
Braga’s new manager, Daniel Sousa, has had a successful start with three friendly wins in pre-season and a victory in the first leg. The team will be aiming to continue their winning streak in the second leg and in their upcoming Primeira Liga opener.
On the other hand, Maccabi Petah Tikva will be looking to produce an improbable comeback after their defeat in the first leg. They finished eighth in the Israeli Premier League last season but secured a spot in Europe by winning the State Cup.
With star striker Abel Ruiz leaving Braga, new signings Roberto Fernandez and Gabri Martinez will be looking to make an impact. Rodrigo Zalazar, who had a stellar performance in the first leg, is expected to play a key role in midfield alongside veteran Joao Moutinho.
Maccabi Petah Tikva will rely on former Slovenia Under-21s striker Luka Stor to lead the attack. Captain Muhammad Handy will need to step up his performance after conceding a penalty in the first leg.
In terms of predictions, Braga are heavily favored to win the second leg and advance to the next round. The gulf in class between the two teams is evident, and Braga should secure a comfortable victory.
Overall, the second leg between Maccabi Petah Tikva and Braga promises to be an exciting match with Braga looking to cement their spot in the Europa League group stage. Fans can expect an intense battle between the two sides as they fight for a spot in the next round of the competition.