The Matchday 1 clash of the 2025/26 Europa League group stage between Lille (France) and Brann (Norway) will take place on September 25 at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Lille vs. Brann: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Lille
The team secured a direct spot in the Europa League group stage by finishing fifth in last season's French championship. This marks Lille's fifth appearance in the main draw of the Europa League, with their best performance being a Round of 16 finish in the 2009/10 season. Notably, the French side has lost their last three Europa League outings, yet they maintain an eight-match scoring streak in this competition.
- The club has failed to win 8 of their last 9 home games in the Europa League (6 draws, 2 losses).
- The team has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 7 of their last 9 home matches in this tournament.
- The French side has conceded in their last six home Europa League fixtures.
Predicted lineup for Lille (4-5-1)
Berke Ozer – Romain Perraud, Nathan Ngoy, Chancel Mbemba, Aissa Mandi – Nabil Bentaleb, Ayoub Bouaddi, Felix Correia, Hakon Haraldsson, Matias Fernandez Pardo – Olivier Giroud.
Defenders Romain Perraud, Alessandro, and Thomas Meunier, as well as midfielder Benjamin Andre, are unavailable due to injuries.
Brann
Freyr Alexandersson's squad kicked off their European campaign in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, where they lost to Salzburg (1-4, 1-1). Dropping into the Europa League, Brann subsequently overcame Hacken (2-0, 0-1) and AEK Larnaca (2-1, 4-0) to secure a spot in the group stage. This marks the team's first-ever appearance in the main draw of the Europa League.
- The club has not lost by more than one goal in their last six away matches in the Europa League.
- The team has scored in 5 of their last 6 away games in this tournament.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 6 of Brann's last 8 away matches in the Europa League.
Predicted lineup for Brann (4-3-3)
Mathias Dyngeland – Thor Pedersen, Fredrik Knudsen, Eivind Helland, Vetle Dragsnes – Emil Kornvig, Jacob Sorensen, Felix Myhre – Ulrik Mathisen, Saevar Magnusson, Niklas Castro.
Midfielder Joachim Soltvedt will not play due to injury.
Referee
Allard Lindhout (Netherlands)
Matches – 5 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 21;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 40%.
Match Prediction: Lille vs. Brann
In the Europa League, Lille has struggled to deliver convincing performances at home, winning just one of their last nine home matches in this competition. That victory came with only a one-goal margin against Sparta Prague. Additionally, in 6 of their last 8 home games in the Europa League, the club has scored a maximum of one goal.
Brann may lack extensive experience in European competitions, but they have rarely faltered in the Europa League. Over their last eight matches in this tournament, the team has suffered only three defeats, with just one of those losses being by more than a single goal. Notably, in this Europa League campaign, the club has conceded only two goals in four matches.
I expect the visitors to provide significant resistance to the French side. My prediction: Brann with a handicap (+1.5)
