Brann welcome Salzburg to Brann Stadion for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifier. With a place in the third round on the line, the Norwegians will be counting on their home form, while the Austrians will look to bring their experience to bear.
Brann are midway through the 2025 Norwegian Eliteserien season and currently sit third in the table, having gone unbeaten in three of their last four league matches. However, they are coming off a 2-0 defeat to KFUM Oslo in their previous domestic fixture.
Home form has played a pivotal role for Brann in the league, and manager Freyr Alexandersson will be keen to maintain that standard in Europe. The Norwegians are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches at Brann Stadion, winning the last four on this run.
Salzburg, meanwhile, head into this clash unbeaten in six of their last nine matches in all competitions. However, Thomas Letsch’s men were beaten 2-1 by Derby County in their last preseason game.
The Austrians often do some good work on their travels and are unbeaten in six of their last eight away matches in all competitions. However, they often struggle to keep things tight on the road and are without a clean sheet in their last four away matches.
How the bookies view it: Upper hand for Salzburg
Salzburg have been installed as favourites among the bookies, with BoyleSports pricing them at 11/10 to leave Norway with a win. A victory for Brann is valued at 17/10 while a draw is set at odds of 13/5.
Head to head: No previous meetings
This will be the first-ever meeting between Brann and Salzburg.
Players to watch: Eyes on Nene
Salzburg will be leaning on Dorgeles Nene to provide the spark in the final third after the 22-year-old enjoyed a standout 2024-25 league season, finishing with 13 goals. Karim Onisiwo could also be worth keeping an eye on, and both men could produce over 1.5 goals for the fifth time in six away matches (Salzburg over 1.5 goals – 5/6 BoyleSports).
Barde Finn could be worth keeping an eye on for Brann, having scored three league goals this season. Felix Horn Myhre has also found the net three times, and both men can combine to produce over 0.5 goals – available at 2/9.
Probable line-ups:
Brann are without top scorer Aune Heggebo, who has sealed a move to English side West Brom. Finn should start in attack, with Horn Myhre providing support, while Japhet Sery could return at the back after serving a suspension at KFUM Oslo last weekend.
For Salzburg, Oscar Gloukh is finalising a move to Dutch side Ajax and is not expected to feature on Wednesday. Nene and Onisiwo should start in this one, while Joane Gadou is set to line up at the heart of the defence.
Brann: Dyngeland, Pedersen, Helland, Sery, Soltvedt, Horn Myhre, Kornvig, Gudmundsson, Mathisen, Finne, Hansen
Salzburg: Schlager, Lainer, Gadou, Rasmussen, Kratzig, Nene, Diambou, Bidstrup, Kitano, Baidoo, Onisiwo
Anything else catch the eye?
Three of Brann’s last four home matches have produced over 3.5 goals – offered at 7/5 with BoyleSports. There have also been over 1.5 first-half goals in two of their last three home fixtures (first half over 1.5 goals priced at 13/10).
There have been first-half goals for both teams in two of Salzburg's last four away matches (first half BTTS YES – 13/5).
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