Dinamo Minsk have had their fair share of luck in the Conference League qualifiers but it’s set to come to an end here. Braga are likely to dominate this one from start to finish and record a comfortable victory.
HTH
This will be the first match between Braga and Dinamo Minsk.
Braga Yet to be Breached
Braga had a strong preseason and carried that form into the Conference League qualifiers. They won 1-0 at Zeleznicar Pancevo, Ricardo Horta’s second half penalty the difference.
The Warriors outclassed the Serbian side at home in the second leg, hardly troubled in a 4-0 victory.
Carlos Vicens’ side ended with 8-1 shots on target, Horta converting another penalty before Gabriel Silva, Pau Victor and Fran Navarro found the net.
Minsk Scraping Through
Dinamo Minsk top the Belarusian Vysshaya Liga after 14 games played. They came through a tough battle in the first round of the Conference League qualifiers.
Trailing 1-0 after a home defeat to Sileks, they won 1-0 in North Macedonia and held their nerve to win the penalty shootout.
Aleksandr Shagoyko’s side went to Azerbaijan where they trailed Neftci Baku 2-0 after 8 minutes. Four unanswered goals secured a 4-2 victory, Karen Vardanyan netting two of them.
Dinamo lost 1-0 in the second leg in Bulgaria, completely outplayed after ending the contest with 35% possession and one shot on target.
Team News
Sikou Niakaté is injured here but Braga have plenty of options in central defence.
Gustaf Lagerbielke, Bright Arrey-Mbi, Adrian Barisic, Adrian Bajrami and Sergio Barcia are in contention with Vitor Carvalho starting both games this season.
Newcastle have signed goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek with Bernardo Fontes taking over between the sticks.
Minsk winger Ivan Bakhar is dealing with a hip injury.