The Europa League 2025/26 return play-off leg between Bologna Football Club 1909 (Italy) and Sportsklubben Brann (Norway) will take place on 26 February at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium. The score in the first leg was 1:0 in favour of Bologna Football Club 1909. Bologna Football Club 1909 vs Sportsklubben Brann: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Bologna Football Club 1909
A single goal was enough for Bologna Football Club 1909 to come away with victory in Norway. As a result, Vincenzo Italiano's side have won four of their last five Europa League matches (one draw), although for the first time in that spell the team scored fewer than twice. To progress to the next round, the home team simply need to avoid defeat in the second leg, and the club's unbeaten run in the Europa League now stands at eight matches.
- A goal in both halves has been scored in six of the Italians' previous eight Europa League matches.
- On home soil, the team are unbeaten in five European matches (two wins, three draws).
- In six of their last eight home games on the international stage, Bologna Football Club 1909 have not conceded more than once.
Potential Bologna Football Club 1909 Lineup (4-5-1)*
Lukasz Skorupski – Jhon Lucumi, Juan Miranda, Nadir Zortea, Martin Vitik – Nikola Moro, Nicolo Cambiaghi, Remo Freuler, Lewis Ferguson, Santiago Castro – Federico Bernardeschi.
Defenders Charalampos Lykogiannis, Charalampos Lykogiannis and Turbjoern Heggem are injured.
Sportsklubben Brann
After losing the first leg, the Norwegians extended their winless run in the Europa League to six matches (three draws, three defeats). What is more, in four games during that period the team failed to find the net at all. Those scoring issues significantly complicate Sportsklubben Brann's prospects in the return fixture, as the visitors need to beat the hosts by at least two goals. A win for the Scandinavians by exactly one goal would send the tie to extra time.
- The team have not conceded more than one goal in six of their previous eight Europa League matches.
- Away from home in this competition, Sportsklubben Brann have failed to win five of their last seven matches (two draws, three defeats).
- In 10 of their previous 12 away games in the Europa League, the club have not scored more than once.
Potential Sportsklubben Brann Lineup (5-4-1)*
Mathias Dyngeland – Joakim Soltvedt, Denzel de Ruve, Nana Kwame Boakye, , Fredrik Knudsen – Youn Thorsteinsson, Ulrik Mathisen, Felix Myhre, Jakob Sorensen, Krystall Mani Ingason – Noa Holm.
Referee
Benoit Bastien (France)
Matches – 7 (International fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second bookings) – 33;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.7;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 57%.
Bologna Football Club 1909 vs Sportsklubben Brann: Match Prediction
While Bologna Football Club 1909 have been struggling in the domestic league, they have produced far better results on the continental stage. The team’s unbeaten run in the Europa League has reached eight matches (five wins, three draws), and to progress to the next round Vincenzo Italiano’s men simply need to extend it by one more game. That does not look like a particularly difficult task given the Norwegians’ away results. Sportsklubben Brann have not won on the road in this season’s competition.
The Norwegians need to score, but it will not be easy for the visitors. There are both the team’s problems in the final third and the Italians’ defending to consider. Bologna Football Club 1909 have not conceded more than one goal in six of their last eight home matches in European competition, and the club have already kept Sportsklubben Brann scoreless twice in this season’s tournament. Sportsklubben Brann, meanwhile, have scored in just one of their previous four Europa League matches.
Prediction: Bologna Football Club 1909, double chance + Under 3.5 goals
* For each team, the starting XI listed is from their previous match in this competition.
