Partizan and Braga have not had life easy in the Champions League this season, and anything less than a victory for either side will likely be considered curtains for their dreams of chasing a place in the last 16.
The Serbians have been a little unlucky to date in losing all three of their matches. It took a late goal for Shakhtar Donetsk to defeat them in the Ukraine, while they ran Arsenal close two weeks later at the Stadion FK Partizan. A loss against Braga on the road may yet prove to be the decisive blow, however.
“We deserved more than the 2-0 defeat – we're not happy,” coach Aleksandar Stanojevic stated after the clash in Portugal. “In the second half we had chances and we should have scored.
“With this defeat our chances are now even slimmer but we will do everything we can to win in Belgrade. Braga will no doubt look to hit us on the counterattack there, too, but we have no option but to go all out for the win.”
The coach also promised the outcome of the match in Serbia will be “very different”, so now it’s up to his players to ensure such talk was not simply hollow. Top of their domestic league and having beaten Jagodina 3-0 at the weekend, the Black and Whites will approach Wednesday’s fixture with some justifiable confidence.
Holding Out Hope
When Braga smashed Sevilla out of the Champions League play-offs, it seemed that an exciting new Iberian force was blooming. But once amongst the elite, it quickly became apparent that Domingos Paciencia had benefitted from the Spaniards’ early season ineptitude and were not the powerhouse those earlier results suggested.
Arsenal were quick to humble the Portuguese side, giving the Minhotos a real lesson at the Emirates Stadium, where the Gunners romped to a 6-0 victory. At home a couple of weeks later, chances were passed up as they were smashed 3-0 by Shakhtar and pride was only restored to some extent when Partizan were beaten 2-0 at the Estadio AXA.
After that fixture, Lima, who struck the first blow before Mattheus got the second just before the break, professed his belief that the Arsenalistas can yet reach the last 16.
“We know it's going to be tough to make it to the next round, but there are still plenty of matches and many points to play for,” the Brazilian said. “If we win at Partizan we go to six points, and Shakhtar have to play Arsenal at home. We hope Arsenal can help us by beating them again in Ukraine, then we have to do our bit.”
Already 11 points off the pace in the Portuguese Liga, which a rejuvenated Porto are dominating, Braga have to make the most of this Champions League excursion, because they probably won’t get the chance next season.
TEAM NEWS
Partizan
Ljubomir Fejsa is a long-term injury problem for Partizan, but otherwise they don’t have any injury worries at all.
Braga
Quim remains a long-term issue due to a rupture Achilles tendon, while Paulao has a thigh injury and will miss out too.
Prediction
If Partizan play in the fashion they managed in Portugal, it’s unlikely that they’ll go down to another defeat. They’ve already given Arsenal a fright in front of their passionate home support, so it’s not unreasonable to suggest that they can take at least a point from the midweek clash.
Partizan 1-1 Braga 
