Brann Bergen – Bologna Tip Europa League, playoffs, first leg on Thursday, 19.02.26 at 18:45 CET
My Brann Bergen Bologna tip for the play-off first leg in the Europa League is based, among other things, on the collected impressions of the joint league phase duel just three months ago.
At that time, they drew 0-0 in northern Italy, which was facilitated by the fact that the “Rossoblu” were down to ten men from the 23rd minute of the game. Nevertheless, the Norwegians had an xG value of only 0.42 despite a long overtime game.
Consequently, I decide in the offer of the first-class bookmaker Sportwetten.de with relatively high confidence for the selection Brann Bergen under 0.5 goals at odds around 2.25.
How Bologna’s offense will behave, on the other hand, is much more difficult to predict, even though I can imagine anything between zero and a maximum of two goals.
Brann Bergen vs. Bologna AI Predictions:
Of course, the early red card favoured a defensively oriented course of play in the last exchange of blows in November. Nevertheless, our Brann Bergen Bologna AI prediction does well to highlight the Under 2.5 goals selection in the assortment of any good betting app.
The values of about 1.72 traded on the betting markets are definitely playable, and I expect a lethargic, deliberate appearance from the Norwegians anyway, which also shows slight signs of hibernation.
After all, Brann Bergen only keeps fit with test matches due to the pause in league operations – so don’t be surprised about a disjointed and largely uneventful first half of the game.
Predicted chance of winning:
| Victory Brann Bergen |
Draw |
Victory Bologna |
| 22.3% |
26.3% |
51.4% |
Win Bologna without conceding a goal at odds, on the other hand, is the second computer-generated suggestion that I had to ponder for a long time. I just don’t know if Bologna will get past a 0-0 draw and actually make the breakthrough.
The Norwegians will put themselves deep into it and make life extremely difficult for them. But with Brann Bergen Bologna odds of about 2.90 traded in this context, you can at least dare to try.
1. Goalscorer: Riccardo Orsolini at odds of around 4.10 is also a courageous risk pick, no question.
But the Italian has scored seven of his last nine goals for the “Rossoblu” before the 50th minute and is indeed a promising candidate for a possible 1-0, even if I personally would classify a clean sheet on Thursday as a tad more likely!
What you need to know about Brann Bergen vs. Bologna betting
- Historic zero: The first meeting in the league phase ended goalless – Bologna have never conceded a goal against a Norwegian team in their history, while Brann has been waiting for a victory in a European knockout round since 2008.
- Contrasting rhythms: While the Norwegian season doesn’t start until spring and Brann is winless in five European games, Italian Cup winners Bologna arrive in full swing and with a streak of three wins from their last four international away games.
- Defensive bulwark: Bologna shines this Europa League season with only 0.98 expected goals conceded (xG) per game – the fourth-best value.
- Jacob Sorensen as a tower in battle: Brann’s midfield engine Sorensen is the statistical leader of the league phase; with 62 duels won and 31 successful aerial duels, he kept the Norwegians defensively stable and is also the central anchor point in the second leg.
