The first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round between Brann (Norway) and Salzburg (Austria) will take place on July 23 at the Brann Stadium. Brann vs. Salzburg: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Brann
The club earned the right to play in the Champions League by finishing second in the last Norwegian championship. Brann has participated in this tournament twice before, both times exiting in the qualification stage. Last year, they competed in the Conference League, where they were eliminated in the final qualifying round by Astana (2-0, 0-3). Currently, Freyr Alexandersson's team is second in the national league.
- Brann has not won in their last five Champions League matches.
- The Norwegian club has scored at least two goals in their previous six home games in European competitions.
- Three or more goals have been scored in 5 of their last 6 international matches.
Predicted lineup for Brann (4-3-3)
Mathias Dyngeland – Denzel de Rouwe, Eivind Helland, Rasmus Holten, Joachim Soltvedt – Felix Myhre, Emil Kornvig, Eggert Gudmundsson – Mads Hansen, Bård Finne, Ulrik Mathisen.
Salzburg
The Austrian club also finished second in their national league, granting them a spot in the Champions League. In the 21st century, the team has participated in this tournament 17 times, achieving their best result in the 2021/22 season by reaching the first playoff round. Last season, Salzburg started from the third qualifying round of the Champions League, defeating Twente and Dynamo Kyiv. They finished 32nd in the main stage of the Champions League, earning just 3 points (1 win, 7 losses). Notably, during the off-season, the club took part in the Club World Cup, where they exited at the group stage.
During the off-season, key defender Amar Dedić left the team.
- More than two goals were scored in 5 of Salzburg's last 6 away matches in the Champions League.
- The team conceded at least two goals in 7 of their previous 8 games in this tournament.
- They lost by more than 2 goals in 6 of their last 8 Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Salzburg (4-4-2)
Alexander Schlager – Frans Krätzig, Jacob Rasmussen, Johan Guad, Stefan Lainer – Oscar Gloukh, Mads Bidstrup, Maurits Kjærgård, Nene Dorgeles – Yorbe Vertessen, Petar Ratkov.
Referee
Damian Sylwestrzak (Poland)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/2025);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 43;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.8;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 33%.
Brann vs. Salzburg: Match Prediction
Brann has not competed in the Champions League for over 15 years, so the players are highly motivated to showcase themselves in Europe's premier club tournament. They have been solid at home, going unbeaten in their last 6 home European matches and losing only 1 of their last 9 international fixtures. Additionally, the Norwegian league is in full swing, and Brann's players are in good form.
Salzburg, on the other hand, is in a different situation. After their season ended, they traveled to the USA for the Club World Cup, where matches were played in extreme heat. There was little time to rest after the tournament, which could affect the players' physical condition. It's also worth noting Salzburg's poor away record in the Champions League: they have failed to win 13 of their last 16 away matches in the competition and have not won 8 of their last 9 matches.
Considering all this, my prediction: Brann to win or draw
