Brann and AEK Larnaca will lock horns in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie in Norway on Thursday evening.
After being eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers by RB Salzburg, the hosts dropped down into Europe’s secondary club competition.
Freyr Alexandersson’s side have already negotiated a Europa League third round qualifier, defeating Swedish outfit Hacken by an aggregate scoreline of 2-1.
On the domestic front, the Bergen-based outfit are occupying third place in the Norwegian Eliteserien following a 2-1 win over Tromso on Sunday.
As for AEK Larnaca, they set up this tie with Brann courtesy of a 5-3 aggregate success over Polish heavyweights Legia Warsaw.
Juan Ferrando’s side have yet to get their domestic campaign underway, so the Cypriot outfit should be the fresher of the two teams coming into this week’s first leg.
How the bookies view it: Brann to draw first blood
The bookies expect Brann to claim a first leg lead, with the hosts coming into this clash as firm 4/6 favourites on Boylesports. An alternative angle of attack that catches the eye is the 5/6 for Brann to score two or more goals.
AEK Larnaca are as big as 3/1 on Boylesports to emerge from the Brann Stadion with a victory while the draw is also considered unlikely at 5/2 with the same firm.
Head to head: History book blank
Brann and AEK Laranca will do battle for the first time ever on Thursday evening before contesting next week’s second leg in Cyprus.
Players to watch: More magic from Magnusson?
After bagging a brace in Brann’s 2-0 away win at Hacken, Saevar Magnusson looks like an obvious candidate to get on the scoresheet during this week's first leg if the bookmakers make prices available.
AEK Larnaca will look to forward Yerson Chacon for inspiration on Thursday evening. The Venezuelan forward has registered two goals and one assist across his last three appearances.
Predicted line-ups
Brann boss Alexandersson will be unable to call upon the services of injured trio Jonas Torsvik, Niklas Jensen Wassberg and Sakarias Opsahl.
AEK will have to make do without Jeremie Gnali, who will serve a suspension here after receiving a red card during last week’s second leg with Legia Warsaw.
Brann: Dyngeland; Pedersen, Helland, Larsen, Soltvedt; Myhre, Sorensen, Kornvig; Mathisen, Magnusson, Gudmundsson
AEK Larnaca: Alomerovic; Ekpolo, Milicevic, Roberge, Garcia; Ledes, Miramon, Pons; Ivanovic, Angelski, Chacon
Anything else catch the eye?
Given how frequently both teams have scored during AEK Larnaca’s previous three Europa League qualifying ties, a repeat on Thursday evening holds appeal at 5/6 on Boylesports.
This bet would have been a winning one in each of the visitors ‘previous five continental contests, while it would also proven profitable in both legs of Brann's clash with RB Salzburg.
Similarly, Over 2.5 Goals also looks well worthy of consideration at 10/11 on Boylesports.
There have been three or more goals in 13 of Brann's 18 Norwegian Eliteserien matches this season.
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