'Braga Have Domestic & European Ambitions'
- Leicester City and SC Braga meet in the UEFA Europa League at Leicester City Stadium on Thursday (8pm kick-off)
- The two teams are locked at the top of Group G after two wins from the opening two games
- Portuguese Football Journalist Tom Kundert spoke to LCFC.com about Braga's pedigree in the competition
- He expects manager Carlos Carvalhal to rest some players, but says any team Braga field will be a competitive one
The top two sides in Group G face off at Leicester City Stadium, both looking to continue a 100 per cent record in the competition (8pm kick-off).
Kundert, of PortuGOAL.net, believes there is a lot riding on the fixture for both teams, in the battle to stay at the top of the group.
"Braga have made a bit of a name for themselves in the last few years as a force to be reckoned with in the Europa League, they've got good pedigree in Europe," he told LCFC.com.
"They'll be looking to maintain that prestige that they have managed to build up over the years and give a good account of themselves.
"They're expecting to do well in this competition and it's been a perfect start for them. There was not much doubt about it when this draw was made, these were the two teams which most people thought would be fighting for the number one and number two spot.
"I think that's probably what will happen. Whoever comes out on top in these next two games, I would expect them to win the group. It should be a good game, I'm really looking forward to it.
"You'd have to make Leicester favourites for the game, especially the first game at Leicester, although does home advantage count anymore in these non-fan, pandemic times?"
Braga's Primeira Liga form has been excellent of late, backed up by their victories over AEK Athens and Zorya Luhansk in the UEFA Europa League.
"They had a bit of a rocky start, losing their first two games, although one of those was to Porto, so that wasn't a big surprise," Kundert explained.
"But since then they've been perfect just about, reeled off six wins on the trot in all competitions and they've looked really good. A lot of people were expecting them to have a good season, they finished third last season in Portugal.
"Braga have been one of the stories of Portuguese football over the last 10/15 years. Portugal have this traditional big three of Sporting, Porto and Benfica, who are so far ahead of all the others.
"But Braga have been fighting their way up there and you can probably consider them, in terms of the size, the stature and the history of the club to be on a par with those three.
"They've certainly, without doubt, established themselves as the fourth best team in Portugal and arguably, the last few years, they are probably just behind Benfica and Sporting as the third best team. This season, that's bearing out."
Carlos Carvalhal is remembered by fans in England from his times with Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City, while Braga supporters have quickly taken to the Portuguese coach during his first season in charge of the club.
Kundert continued: "They've got a top manager who is universally popular, he comes out with these wonderful quotes from time to time and he's doing a really good job. He had a great season last season at a smaller club, Rio Ave. Braga brought him in and they really look on fire at the moment.
"This run they have been on, they've only conceded two goals in six games, so it just shows you they are no mugs defensively.
"One thing that may play to Leicester's advantage, although perhaps the same thing is going to happen with Leicester, is Carvalhal has mentioned that with so many games in such a short space of time, they may be rotating for this game.
"It's been a very good start for both clubs in this competition and this is definitely Braga's toughest game, so his thinking might be, even if they don't get a positive result, it wouldn't be the end of the world. And on Sunday, Braga have a huge game against Benfica that's going to be second against third, so Carvalhal will have one eye on that game.
"With all those factors in the mix, I'm not entirely sure that Braga will even send out their first choice team against Leicester, but even their back-ups are good players, so Leicester will be in for a tough game whichever XI is chosen."
Kundert also outlined some of Braga's key men who will look to make a difference in the final third for the Portuguese outfit.
"They're quite a solid team, quite a well balanced team, there are no standout stars, but they have got some very attacking players who would cause problems for any team," he added.
"One of them to look out for is the Brazilian winger, Galeno, who is a really exciting, skilful winger, a good dribbler and an ex-Porto player. Porto fans were quite surprised when they let him go very early.
"He's been at Braga for a couple of years, he's only 23, but he's a really good player. He's already scored some very good goals this season and provided some very good assists so he's definitely one to look out for.
"The striker as well, Paulinho, is really reliable, not too flashy, but scores and gets the job done. He scored 25 goal last season, he took a while to get going this season but he's scored in the last couple of games.
"Sporting were trying to buy him but Braga asked for €30M, which is a high price for many in Portugal, especially for a domestic transfer, so he's stayed put.
"Also, Ricardo Horta, another forward who finds space as a second striker. A lot of people say he's unlucky not to be in the Portugal set-up. If you don't play for the big three, it's much harder to get into the Portugal first team.
"He's been superb now for two or three seasons, scored over 20 goals again last season, and as an attacking midfielder that's pretty good going."
All times GMT.