Brann vs Apollon Limassol Predictions
Brann welcome Apollon Limassol to Bergen for the first leg of their Conference League third qualifying-round tie.
The Norwegian hosts have been strong in recent home fixtures, and should build a first-leg advantage at Brann Stadion.
I have my first stake on Brann to win, while BTTS/over 2.5 goals also looks a likely outcome.
Brann Backed in Bergen
- Brann won 6 of their last 7 home matches
- Brann have seen BTTS & over 2.5 goals in their last 14 matches
- Apollon have seen over 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 matches
Brann and Apollon Set For First Competitive Meeting
Brann and Apollon Limassol will meet for the first time on Wednesday.
Brann Eliminate Universitatea Cluj
Brann return to Conference League qualifying action after a thrilling 3-2 victory against Rosenborg last weekend.
The Norwegians trailed 2-1 in the second half before Kristian Eriksen completed a superb comeback with a stoppage-time winner.
Eirik Horneland’s side have been in solid form over the past month, winning four and losing just one of six fixtures.
Brann secured their place in the Conference League third qualifying round with a 5-3 aggregate victory against Universitatea Cluj. After a hard-fought 2-2 draw in Romania, Horneland’s men claimed a fine 3-1 win in Bergen.
High-scoring outcomes have been remarkably frequent, with each of Brann’s last 14 matches seeing both BTTS and over 2.5 goals. The in-form hosts scored at least two goals in their last six fixtures.
On the continent, seven of their last nine home European qualifiers since 2020 saw three goals or more and both teams score.
Apollon Cruise Past Dila Gori
Apollon Limassol travel to Norway after cruising into the Conference League third qualifying round with a 7-0 aggregate victory against Dila Gori.
The Cypriots took control of the tie with a commanding 4-0 first-leg win in Georgia. Brandon Thomas, Gaetan Weissbeck and Alen Ozbolt grabbed the goals in a superb road victory.
Apollon completed the job with a similarly comfortable 3-0 home win in Limassol last week.
Yet to begin their domestic campaign, Hernan Losada’s side finished last season in less than stellar form. Apollon lost three of their final six league matches before a 2-0 defeat in the Cypriot Cup final.
Returning to European competition for the first time since 2022, Limassol failed to win any of six previous away continental fixtures before their win in Georgia earlier this month.
Brann vs Apollon Limassol Team News
Brann: (4-3-3) Mathias Dyngeland; Denzel De Roeve, Fredrik Pallesen Knudsen, Thore Pedersen, Joachim Soltvedt; Niklas Jensen Wassberg, Jacob Lungi Sorensen, Felix Horn Myhre; Ulrik Mathisen, Noah Holm, Niklas Castro.
Horneland is expected to recall several players after making changes for Sunday’s league match against Rosenborg.
Castro should return to the attack after scoring three goals in two appearances against Universitatea Cluj. Kristian Eriksen and Kristall Mani Ingason are also pushing for recalls after goalscoring substitute appearances against Rosenborg.
Horneland has two confirmed absentees for Wednesday’s contest. Sakarias Opsahl remains sidelined with a foot injury, while Nana Kwame Boakye continues his recovery from a long-term knee problem.
Apollon Limassol: (4-3-3) Peter Leeuwenburgh; Bruno Gaspar, Leonidas Konomis, Josef Kvida, Giorgios Malekkides; Morgan Brown, Gaetan Weissbeck, Ivan Ljubic; Dani Escriche, Alen Ozbolt, Brandon Thomas.
Avgousti could retain the majority of the team that started the second-leg victory against Dila Gori.
Summer signings Connor Goldson, Ike Ugbo, Konstantinos Balogiannis, Emanuel Aiwu and Ozbolt are all in contention to feature against Brann.
Danilo Spoljaric remains unavailable with a ligament injury.