The first Europa League 2025/26 play-off match between Sportsklubben Brann (Norway) and Bologna Football Club 1909 (Italy) will take place on 19 February at the Brann Stadium. Sportsklubben Brann vs Bologna Football Club 1909: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Sportsklubben Brann
The Norwegians claimed two wins in the first three matchdays, but the team’s results then began to decline. Nevertheless, even a five-game winless run in the Europa League (3 draws, 2 defeats) did not prevent the club from reaching the play-offs, although it finished in the final position that still offered a place there. It is worth noting that Sportsklubben Brann scored just 9 goals, one of the three worst attacking records among the top 24 teams. Overall, we can point to progress from the Norwegians: the last time the club played in the Europa League was in the 2019/20 season, when it failed to come through qualifying.
In January, the team were appointed by Freyr Alexandersson.
- Sportsklubben Brann have not conceded more than one goal in 5 of their last 7 Europa League matches.
- On home soil in this competition, the club have avoided defeat in 4 of the previous 5 games (3 wins, 1 draw).
- The Norwegians have scored in 5 of their last 7 home Europa League fixtures.
Potential Sportsklubben Brann Lineup (5-4-1)*
Matias Dyngeland – Joakim Soltvedt, Denzel de Roeve, Nana Kwame Boakye, Tor Pedersen, Fredrik Knudsen – Markus Haaland, Ulrik Mathisen, Felix Myhre, Jakob Sorensen – Noah Holm.
Bologna Football Club 1909
Defeat in the opening matchday of the league phase was the Italians’ only loss in the current tournament. Taking 15 points from the remaining fixtures (4 wins, 3 draws), the team finished 10th, falling just two points short of the top eight. Bologna Football Club 1909 showed strong attacking output, scoring in 6 of 8 matches, although one of the opponents they failed to break down was Sportsklubben Brann. Last season, meanwhile, the club made its Champions League debut and finished 28th in the league phase.
- The team have scored at least twice in 5 of their last 6 Europa League matches.
- Away from home, the Italians have avoided defeat in 5 of their last 6 European matches (3 wins, 2 draws).
- In 4 of their last 5 away fixtures in international competition, Bologna Football Club 1909 have conceded exactly one goal.
Potential Bologna Football Club 1909 Lineup (4-5-1)*
Lukasz Skorupski – Jhon Lucumi, Juan Miranda, Joao Mario, Martin Vitik – Nikola Moro, Jonathan Rowe, Remo Freuler, Simon Zom, Santiago Castro – Federico Bernardeschi.
Defenders Charalampos Lykogiannis, Charalampos Lykogiannis and Turbjoern Heggem are injured.
Referee
Rade Obrenovic (Slovenia)
Matches – 10 (international fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 7;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.7;
Red cards shown – 1;
Fouls per match (average) – 24;
Penalties – 0%.
Sportsklubben Brann vs Bologna Football Club 1909: Match Prediction
The head-to-head meeting in the league phase ended 0:0, even though the Italians were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half. The Norwegians failed to make the most of the advantage, with Sportsklubben Brann lacking creativity in attack. We do not expect the upcoming game to be high-scoring either. This time, Bologna Football Club 1909 may also be in no rush to force the issue with the second leg in mind. The opponents’ statistics do not point towards a goal-fest, either.
Sportsklubben Brann scored 6 of their 9 goals against just two teams, one of which has already been eliminated from the tournament. The Norwegians suffered only one defensive collapse, against Fenerbahce, but in that match the team lost a centre-back to a red card as early as the 18th minute. Bologna Football Club 1909, meanwhile, have not conceded more than one goal in any away Europa League match in 2025/26. The Italians have scored regularly, but they have only posted big numbers against weaker opponents, one of which was the worst club in the league phase for goals conceded.
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals
* For each team, the starting XI from its previous match is listed.
