Braga vs Real Betis Europa League quarter-final preview: Where to watch, predicted line-ups

Braga are preparing to host Real Betis in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie.

Where to watch the game on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Europa League broadcast partner(s) here.

What you need to know?

Braga boss Carlos Vicens knows plenty about football from his native Spain, though Os Arsenalistas have also benefited from the know-how he picked up in a number of years working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The Portuguese side showed their ruthlessness at home as they overturned a 2-0 deficit in the round of 16, beating Ferencváros 4-0 in Braga for what was their 80th win in this competition.

Like Vicens, Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini counts Man City among his former employers, and is on a mission to take his side to their second European final in as many seasons, having lost to Chelsea in the 2024/25 Conference League decider. Their away record in this season's Europa League has been hit and miss (W2 D1 L2), but in Antony, Cédric Bakambu, Héctor Bellerín and injured captain Isco, they have a wealth of flair and European nous in their ranks.

Possible line-ups

Braga: Horníček; Arrey-Mbi, Niakaté, Lagerbielke; Gabri Martínez, Grillitsch, João Moutinho, Victor Gómez; Ricardo Horta, Fran Navarro, Pau Victor

Real Betis: Pau López; Rodríguez, Natan, Diego Llorente, Bellerín; Amrabat, Marc Roca, Fornals; Antony, Cucho Hernández, Abde Ezzalzouli

Form guide

Braga

Form: WLWLDW (most recent game first)
Latest: Moreirense 0-1 Braga, 04/04, Portuguese First Division

Real Betis

Form: DLWDLL
Latest: Real Betis 0-0 Espanyol, 04/04, Spanish Liga

Views from the camps

Carlos Vicens, Braga coach: "Our focus is on what we can control. We need to be decisive in front of goal. We are comfortable with how we play. We will have to pay attention to what Betis do, but mostly the team has to show personality, to want the ball, to take control of the game and try to impose themselves. We're in the Europa League quarter-finals and we have to be very good in multiple aspects of the game. It's a game which is going to be played over more than 180 minutes and we have to ready for that."

Manuel Pellegrini, Real Betis coach: "We are all very excited to keep moving forward because it hasn't been easy to get here. Our opponent has earned the right to be here too. If we can keep a clean sheet, all the better, but our style is to always go for the win and play with the personality required in Europe."

Reporter's view

Inês de Oliveira Martins, match reporter
Carlos Vicens' Braga showed their nerve to get through the round of 16 and will look to bring intensity and attacking intent to another big European night. Expect Ricardo Horta to set the tone and Pau Víctor to lead the line as the Portuguese side aim to land a knockout blow at home. Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini's Betis bring experience, composure and attacking quality through the likes of Antony, Abde Ezzalzouli and Cucho Hernández. If they stay calm and clinical, they can take a good result back to Seville.