Prediction: CFR Cluj vs Braga

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: BetUS

CFR Cluj and Braga meet in Transylvania on Thursday evening for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round clash, with both sides aiming to take a crucial step toward the playoff stage.

Each team required extra time to edge past tricky opponents in the previous round—Cluj seeing off Maribor, while Braga narrowly overcame Hungary’s Paks. Now, with a spot against either Lincoln Red Imps or Noah on the line, both will be eager to seize control of the tie early. Expect a tense and competitive affair in Romania between two seasoned European competitors.

CFR Cluj

After finishing well adrift of Romanian champions FCSB last term, CFR Cluj have already had a demanding start to the new campaign, despite it being only early August.

Forced to begin their UEFA Europa League campaign in the first qualifying round, Dan Petrescu’s men have juggled a hectic schedule, which has clearly impacted their domestic form—Cluj sit fourth-from-bottom in Liga I after four rounds, with just four points collected.

Nonetheless, their European journey has brought greater reward so far. Following a Super Cup defeat to FCSB, Cluj eliminated Hungary’s Paks 3-0 on aggregate, before edging a tense tie with Swiss side Lugano—last season’s Conference League round-of-16 participants—1-0 over two legs. The decisive goal came in the 96th minute of extra time through Sheriff Sinyan, after Cluj had twice been spared by VAR disallowed goals.

Now hoping to reach the Europa League group stage for the first time since 2019, the Transylvanians will need to punch above their weight. They’ve twice qualified for the Conference League, but to reach this competition’s main draw again, they must eliminate a team that many would consider favourites.

Their domestic form adds further concern—consecutive home league defeats to Arges and Universitatea Craiova, either side of the Lugano second leg, have left Cluj already playing catch-up in Liga I.

Despite their struggles, Cluj fans will fondly recall their memorable 2012–13 Champions League campaign when they defeated Braga both home and away. That group stage also included Manchester United and Galatasaray, with Cluj famously winning at Old Trafford and finishing third.

Team News

Cluj’s injury list is growing. Adrian Paun was forced off early against Craiova and is set to miss this clash, joining Simao Rocha, Kenneth Omeruo, Karlo Muhar, Mohammed Kamara and Lindon Emerllahu on the sidelines.

Petrescu has rotated heavily in domestic fixtures to preserve his core players for Europe, and we could see Moldovan forward Virgiliu Postolachi return to the XI. One player likely to retain his spot is centre-back Matei Ilie, who scored a brace in the 3-2 weekend loss—his first league start of the season.

Braga

The last time Braga faced Romanian opposition in European qualifiers, they were shockingly eliminated by now-defunct Pandurii Targu Jiu back in 2013. However, since that setback, the Portuguese side have grown in continental stature, failing to make it through qualifying just once in the last ten seasons.

Braga featured in the Europa League group stage last term, but their campaign ended in heartbreak—they finished 25th overall, just one spot shy of the knockout phase. It has now been 15 years since their famous run to the final, where they lost to fellow Portuguese club Porto in Dublin. Since then, their best efforts have produced only quarter-final appearances, with the club rarely threatening to challenge the established domestic elite at home.

That pattern looks set to continue in 2025, which is why new manager Carlos Vicens will be determined to deliver success via a deep run in either the Europa League or domestic cups. With the league campaign yet to begin—Braga open at home to Tondela this coming weekend—focus has been entirely on Europe so far.

Even so, Braga made harder work of their second qualifying round than many expected. Despite being heavy favourites, they could only edge out Bulgarian outfit Levski Sofia 1-0 on aggregate, needing an extra-time goal to avoid a major upset. That laboured display stood in contrast to their strong pre-season, where they won all five friendlies.

Team News

On the plus side, Braga are heading to Romania with a clean bill of health and without the distraction of domestic fixtures. That freshness, combined with a squad bolstered by smart summer recruitment, puts them in a potentially stronger position than Cluj.

Fran Navarro, the man who scored the decisive goal against Levski, is now a permanent signing from Porto, while big-money arrivals Pau Victor and Mario Dorgeles are also in line to feature. Meanwhile, promising midfielder Gabriel Moscardo has joined on loan from PSG, and could play a role in midfield.

Conclusion

Braga will enter this tie as clear favourites, given their superior squad depth and recent European pedigree. However, their narrow escape against Levski Sofia—settled only by an extra-time winner—suggests that some early-season rust remains, especially with domestic fixtures yet to begin.

Cluj, on the other hand, are already deep into their campaign, having played nine competitive matches. While their domestic results have been disappointing, Dan Petrescu’s side have consistently raised their level in Europe, where their focus clearly lies. That added sharpness and competitive rhythm could make them more dangerous than Braga might expect, especially in the first leg on home soil.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: BetUS