Brann vs RB Salzburg Prediction & Best Bet – UEFA Champions League Qualifiers: July 23, 2025

Brann return to the UEFA Champions League stage for the first time in 17 years as they host Austrian giants RB Salzburg in the second qualifying round’s opening leg. While Salzburg bring continental pedigree, Brann’s superb home form this season and mid-season sharpness could give them a vital edge in Bergen.

The Norwegian runners-up from 2024 are eyeing redemption after last season’s European heartbreak and will look to make the most of home advantage before heading to Austria for the return leg.

This is the first meeting between the two clubs and a massive night for Brann, who are playing in their first Champions League match since August 2008, when they lost both legs to Olympique Marseille in the third qualifying round: 1-0 in Bergen and 2-1 in France.

Brann – Strong at Home, But Inconsistent Lately

Under Freyr Alexandersson, Brann have established themselves as one of the Eliteserien’s most dominant home teams. They’ve won three straight home matches – since a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Molde in May (their first home loss since July 2023) and looked formidable at Brann Stadion.

However, their momentum stalled last weekend with a 2-0 loss away to KFUM Oslo, where Felix Horn Myhre missed a golden opportunity in the 19th minute. That missed chance proved pivotal, as the Oslo side struck twice before halftime and held firm for the victory. Thus, Brann dropped to third place in the league, six points behind leaders Viking.

Still, Brann remain a dangerous side at home, and they will be eager to bounce back quickly in what is their first Champions League qualifier since 2008–09.

In the UEFA Conference League qualifiers last season, Brann won all three home matches – against Go Ahead Eagles, St Mirren, and Astana – but failed to progress to the main phase. A 2-0 home win over Astana was undone by a dramatic 3-0 loss in Kazakhstan, knocking them out in the playoff round. That collapse remains a warning as they step up to Champions League level.

Brann will be without several first-team players heading into their long-awaited return to Champions League action. Captain Fredrik Pallesen Knudsen, midfielder Sakarias Opsahl, versatile youngster Jonas Torsvik, and winger Niklas Castro are all ruled out through injury, reducing depth across multiple areas of the pitch. However, there is better news for the Bergen outfit, as Japhet Sery Larsen and Eivind Helland – both suspended domestically – are available for this European tie and are expected to return to the starting XI.

Red Bull Salzburg – Continental Experience, But Form Questions?

Salzburg are no strangers to this stage. They’ve reached the Champions League group stage (now ‘League Phase’) in six consecutive seasons and even represented Europe at the Club World Cup this summer. However, that brief appearance – though short-lived – has compressed their preseason and raised legitimate questions about early-season sharpness and squad readiness.

Adding to that concern, their domestic campaign has yet to resume, with only a low-intensity Austrian Cup tie against Union Dietach on the horizon next weekend. That fixture offers little in terms of preparation for this much tougher European test against the Norwegian vice-champions. A 2-1 friendly defeat to Derby County last week further highlights RB Salzburg’s vulnerability heading into this tricky away leg.

The Red Bulls travel to Norway with their own injury concerns. Takumu Kawamura, Moussa Yeo, and Karim Konaté are all sidelined, limiting manager Thomas Letsch’s flexibility in midfield and attack.

Adding to the concern, Belgian forward Yorbe Vertessen suffered an injury in last week’s friendly against Derby County and had to be withdrawn in the first half. This leaves the attacking responsibilities to a group that includes Petar Ratkov, Oscar Gloukh, Edmund Baidoo, Adam Daghim, and veteran Karim Onisiwo – a unit still brimming with talent.

On the positive side, both goalkeeper Alexander Schlager and club captain Mads Bidstrup have returned to fitness and featured in the Derby County game.

Despite Salzburg’s experience in Champions League games and squad depth, the Austrians might show signs of early-season rust, having had limited preseason buildup following their short stint at the FIFA Club World Cup, which has slightly compressed their schedule ahead of this crucial two-legged qualifier.

Possible Starting Lineups of Brann and RB Salzburg

Brann: Matias Dyngeland – Thore Pedersen, Eivind Helland, Japhet Sery Larsen, Joachim Soltvedt – Felix Horn Myhre, Emil Kornvig, Eggert Aron Gudmundsson – Ulrik Mathisen, Bard Finne, Mads Hansen. (4-3-3)

RB Salzburg: Alexander Schlager – Stefan Lainer, Joane Gadou, Jacob Rasmussen, Frans Krätzig – Dorgeles Nene, Soumaila Diabate, Mads Bidstrup, Oscar Gloukh – Adam Daghim, Karim Onisiwo. (4-4-2)

Betting Preview and Prediction

According to EveryGame’s latest betting odds, RB Salzburg enter as slight favorites at +110 to win the first leg in Norway, while SK Brann are priced at +180 to spring a home upset in Bergen. The draw is set at +250, underlining the uncertainty that often surrounds early-season European qualifiers.

Given RB Salzburg’s Champions League pedigree and Brann’s formidable home record, the most compelling value lies in the market: Double Chance – RB Salzburg or Draw (X2) and Over 2.5 Goals, currently priced at +140 with Bookmaker.

This selection offers a smart hedge against Salzburg’s early-season unpredictability while capitalizing on their proven European experience. At the same time, it respects Brann’s attacking threat at home – a side that has consistently scored in European qualifiers and boasts one of the Eliteserien’s best home scoring records this season. With both sides likely to create chances, and neither defense immune to pressure, this combo bet provides strong value in what could be an open, high-tempo first leg in Bergen.

Brann vs RB Salzburg Best Value Bet: X2 (RB Salzburg or Draw) and Over 2.5 Goals (+140 at Bookmaker) for 5/10 Units