Match Preview
Brann welcome Bologna to Bergen for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League knockout play-off tie. With the return match set for Italy, the opener at Brann Stadion feels like the moment where the home side must be brave: start fast, use the crowd, and try to build an advantage before the trip to Bologna.
This matchup has a clear contrast in styles. Brann are usually at their best when they can push the tempo, attack with width, and turn the game into a high-energy contest. Bologna, as a top-league opponent, are more comfortable managing phases of play slowing the rhythm when needed, protecting central areas, and picking moments to accelerate into dangerous spaces.
For Brann, the first 20 minutes matter. European nights in Bergen can be intense, and the best route to a strong first-leg result is to force Bologna into uncomfortable decisions early. That means pressing with purpose, winning second balls, and turning set pieces into real chances. The risk is leaving space behind when the full-backs push high exactly the kind of space Bologna can punish if Brann lose the ball cheaply.
Bologna will likely approach this like a classic away first leg: stay organised, keep the tie under control, and avoid giving away momentum-changing moments. If they can survive Brann’s early push, they will look to turn the match into a more tactical contest, where one clean break or one sharp move around the box can flip the pressure onto the hosts.
Because it’s a two-leg tie, neither side will want reckless risks. Brann will still chase a win, but game management will be crucial especially in the final 25 minutes. A one-goal lead is valuable, but conceding at home can instantly change the entire tie.
TV Broadcast and Livestreams
Broadcast rights vary by country for UEFA competitions. Check your local sports networks and streaming providers on matchday to confirm official coverage in your region.
Match Information
| Date | Thursday, 19 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Kick-off Time | 17:45 UTC (Local evening kick-off in Bergen) |
| Venue | Brann Stadion, Bergen, Norway |
| Competition | UEFA Europa League 2025/26 – Knockout Round Play-offs (1st Leg) |
| 2nd Leg | Thursday, 26 February 2026 – Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna |
Odds (1X2)
| Result | Odds |
|---|---|
| 1 Brann | N/A |
| X Draw | N/A |
| 2 Bologna | N/A |
Odds note: Prices change by bookmaker and can move close to kick-off. In a first leg, markets often reflect home advantage and also the likelihood of a controlled, lower-risk game state.
Form and Head-to-Head
| Team | Form Snapshot |
|---|---|
| Brann | High-energy approach at home, with intensity and pressing often boosted by the crowd in European nights. |
| Bologna | More comfortable controlling match rhythm, aiming to reduce chaos and punish mistakes with efficient attacking phases. |
Head-to-Head: These sides have already faced each other in this season’s Europa League, including a 0-0 meeting earlier in the campaign. That result hints at a tight tactical contest, where the first goal (if it comes) could dictate the whole tie.
Key Tactical Notes
- Brann’s key: start fast, win second balls, and turn set pieces into high-quality chances.
- Bologna’s key: manage the away leg, stay compact centrally, and punish any over-commitment in transition.
- Set pieces: corners and wide free kicks often decide first legs when open-play chances are limited.
- Game state: if it stays level into the last 20 minutes, expect more caution from Bologna and more urgency from Brann.
Prediction
Final Score Prediction: Brann 1-1 Bologna
Prediction: Brann should produce strong home spells, but Bologna’s structure and game control make them tough to break down. A draw feels like a realistic first-leg outcome, leaving the tie wide open for the return match in Italy.
Suggested lean: Under 3.5 goals • Bologna double chance (X2) • Both teams to score (small stake)