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Union Berlin and Sporting Braga are poised for a significant clash in their UEFA Champions League group-stage journey. Set at the Olympiastadion Berlin on Oct 3, 2023, at 5.45pm UK, both teams will be looking to rebound from their recent losses in Europe’s premier competition. This encounter promises to be a pivotal fixture for both sides, who have had their respective highs and lows this season.

Analysis:

Union Berlin’s Current Form and Concerns: Union Berlin’s initiation into the Champions League was marked with late heartbreak, courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s last-minute winner for Real Madrid. A commendable performance was overshadowed by a continuation of their recent worrying form. Urs Fischer’s men have recorded five consecutive defeats in all competitions, which has seen them plummet to 11th in the Bundesliga standings. Their latest setback was a 1-0 loss to Heidenheim. With their hopes of progressing in the Champions League hanging by a thread, the matches against Braga become all the more critical. Interestingly, they met Braga last season in the Europa League, with both sides capitalising on their home advantage to record 1-0 victories.

Braga’s Performance and Outlook: Sporting Braga’s campaign was off to a rocky start, narrowly losing to Napoli in their opening match. While Braga responded well domestically, cruising to a 4-2 win over Estrela, their Champions League ambitions might be derailed if they fail to secure points in their upcoming matches. Historically, their record in the Champions League hasn’t been noteworthy, last making an appearance in the 2012-13 group stage where they finished fourth. Yet, their recent encounter against Napoli indicates that the Portuguese side shouldn’t be underestimated.

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Team News: Union Berlin will miss out on the services of Robin Knoche, Laurenz Dehl, Andras Schafer, and Rani Khedira. The team’s offensive hopes will likely rest on Kevin Behrens, who has been their primary goal scorer this season. Meanwhile, Braga boasts a nearly complete squad, save for Victor Gomez, who had to exit their last game prematurely. Alvaro Djalo and Bruma are the men to watch for Braga, having exhibited impressive scoring records this season.

Prediction: Considering Union Berlin’s recent form, and Braga’s relatively better performance both domestically and in Europe, a tight encounter can be expected. Braga’s history against German teams suggests they have a fighting chance, while Union’s recent goal drought might hinder their prospects.

Goal.mu predicts: Union Berlin 1-2 Sporting Braga. This prediction stems from Braga’s improved form and Union Berlin’s recent struggles, though the home advantage might give Union Berlin an initial edge.

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