The road to the next UEFA Champions League continues with intensity: on Wednesday, July 24, Brann and Red Bull Salzburg will face off in the first leg of the second qualifying round. The Norwegian side earned direct access to this stage thanks to their second-place finish in last season’s Eliteserien, trailing just three points behind champions Bodo/Glimt. Unlike their Austrian opponents, Brann are in full-season form, having already played sixteen league matches. Currently sitting third in the standings, Alexandersson’s men are still in the title race for a trophy that has been missing from their cabinet since 2007. Despite a somewhat inconsistent run of results in recent weeks, the Norwegians will rely heavily on one of their key strengths for this first leg: home advantage. A tough side to beat at the Brann Stadion, Brann will be looking to build a solid lead ahead of the second leg, potentially complicating Salzburg’s qualification plans. The Austrian visitors arrive just a month after the conclusion of their 2024/25 campaign, which ended with elimination in the group stage of the FIFA Club World Cup. Coach Letsch has had limited time to prepare for this two-legged tie, but Salzburg's international experience over the past few years could prove crucial in managing both physical and mental demands. Despite key departures such as Dedić and Baidoo, Salzburg—runners-up in the Austrian Bundesliga—will aim to advance through this round and set up an exciting clash against Club Brugge, one of the main favorites to reach the group stage. Should Salzburg go the distance, fans hope for an improvement from last season, where the team finished third-from-bottom in the Champions League's single group format, earning just three points in eight matches.

Brann's Recent Form and Key Stats

On July 19, Brann suffered a 2-0 loss against KFUM Oslo in the 14th round of the Norwegian Eliteserien. Over their last five league matches, Brann have delivered mixed results: two wins, one draw, and two losses, with an average of 1 goal scored and 1.4 conceded per game. One of the standout performers has been left-back Soltvedt, who scored two goals in his last four appearances.

Playing at home is a major advantage for Alexandersson’s side, who have lost just one of their last 14 matches at the Brann Stadion. Including the friendly against Kristiansund on June 14, Brann have won their last four home games, scoring a total of 12 goals and conceding 4. In the league, where they currently sit six points off the top, their home record stands at 6 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, with an average of 2 goals scored and 1.33 conceded per match.

Red Bull Salzburg's Recent Form and Key Stats

Unlike their Norwegian counterparts, Salzburg have only just begun their summer preparations, having played in the FIFA Club World Cup until June 27, where they exited at the group stage behind Real Madrid and Al Hilal. In recent days, Salzburg have played two friendlies: a 2-1 win over Qarabag and a 2-1 loss to Derby.

Last season, Salzburg were not particularly convincing on the road in the Austrian Bundesliga. Their away record included 6 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses—two of which came in the final stretch of the season. Letsch’s side struggled to score away from home, averaging just 1.18 goals per game, while conceding an average of 1.37.

Brann vs Red Bull Salzburg Prediction and Tactical Overview

This is a first-ever meeting between Brann and Red Bull Salzburg in UEFA competition, as they face off in the second qualifying round of the 2025/26 Champions League.

The Brann vs Red Bull Salzburg prediction by BetMines sees the home side as strong favorites, largely due to their solid home form. Moreover, Salzburg have won just one of their last four matches—an outcome that came in a friendly.

Despite Brann being favored, BetMines' algorithm recommends the home Double Chance 1X, as the Austrians remain a dangerous opponent with plenty of knockout-stage experience. A draw remains a plausible outcome.

Both teams are expected to score. Brann have kept just two clean sheets in their last ten home games, while Salzburg have found the net in each of their last eight away fixtures.

Among the players to watch are experienced striker Bård Finne, who has scored three goals in the league, and young forward Petar Ratkov, who is aiming to establish himself this season.

• Brann vs Red Bull Salzburg Prediction by BetMines: Brann to win or draw (Double Chance 1X) – 72%
  
  
• Brann vs Red Bull Salzburg Prediction by BetMines: Both teams to score – 59%

Predicted Lineups Brann vs Red Bull Salzburg

BRANN (4-3-3): Dyngeland; De Roeve, Fauske, Helland, Holten; Soltvedt, Gudmundsson, Kornvig, Myhre; Mathisen, Finne, Hansen. Coach: Alexandersson

RED BULL SALZBURG (4-4-2): Schlager; Lainer, Gadou, Rasmussen, Krätzig; Nene, Diabate, Bidstrup, Gloukh; Vertessen, Ratkov. Coach: Letsch