The first Europa League 2025/26 play-off tie between Brann (Norway) and Bologna (Italy) will take place on 19 February at the Brann Stadium. Brann vs Bologna: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Brann
Brann claimed two wins in the first three matchdays, but the team’s results then tailed off. Nevertheless, even a five-match winless run in the Europa League (three draws, two defeats) did not prevent the club from reaching the play-offs, although it finished in the final qualifying place. It is worth noting that the home team have scored just nine goals, which is one of the three worst attacking records among the top 24 sides. Overall, we can point to progress from the Norwegian outfit: the previous time the club featured in the Europa League was in 2019/20, when it failed to come through qualifying.
In January, the team were appointed by Freyr Alexandersson.
- Brann have not conceded more than once in five of their last seven Europa League matches.
- At home in this tournament, the club have avoided defeat in four of their previous five games (three wins, one draw).
- Brann have scored in five of their last seven home Europa League matches.
Potential Brann Lineup (5-4-1)*
Mathias Dyngeland – Joakim Soltvedt, Denzel De Roeve, Nana Kwame Boakye, Tor Pedersen, Fredrik Knudsen – Markus Haaland, Ulrik Mathisen, Felix Myhre, Jakob Sorensen – Noa Holm.
Bologna
Defeat in the opening matchday of the league phase was the Italians’ only loss in the current tournament. Picking up 15 points from the remaining fixtures (four wins, three draws), the visitors finished 10th, missing out on the top eight by just two points. Bologna showed strong scoring form, finding the net in six of eight games, although one of the opponents they failed to score against was Brann. Last season, the club made its Champions League debut and finished 28th in the group stage.
- Bologna have scored at least twice in five of their last six Europa League matches.
- Away from home, the Italians have avoided defeat in five of their previous six matches in European competition (three wins, two draws).
- In four of Bologna’s last five away matches on the international stage, the team have conceded exactly one goal.
Potential Bologna 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;
Yellow cards per match – 4.7;
Red cards shown – 1;
Fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 0%.
Brann vs Bologna: Match Prediction
The head-to-head meeting between the sides in the league phase ended 0:0, even though the Italians were reduced to 10 men in the middle of the first half. The Norwegians failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority, with Brann lacking creativity in attack. We do not expect the upcoming match to be high-scoring either. This time, Bologna may also avoid forcing the issue, bearing the second leg in mind. Moreover, the teams’ statistics do not point towards a prolific game.
Brann have scored six of their nine goals against just two teams, one of which has already been knocked out of the tournament. The Norwegian club suffered a defensive collapse only against Fenerbahce, but in that match the team lost a central defender to a red card as early as the 18th minute. Bologna, meanwhile, have not conceded more than once away from home in the Europa League 2025/26. The Italians have scored regularly, but they have only posted high goal totals against weak opponents, one of whom actually finished as the worst club in the league phase for goals conceded.
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals
* For each team, the starting line-up is taken from its previous match.
