Verdict: Brann win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Sat in the driving seat to extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure on Thursday evening, Brann will welcome Hacken to Bergen.
Brann
Starting with the hosts, while Brann might have travelled over to Sweden last week facing what could have been a tricky test, Freyr Alexandersson’s men put in what was an eye-catching performance. Securing what was a deserved 2-0 victory on foreign soil, the Reds will certainly be excited to make a return to Bergen on Thursday evening. Although the Norwegian heavyweights might have shown some extended inconsistencies over the past couple of months, they have certainly claimed a much-welcomed boost since opening August. Storming their way to a routine 4-1 romp against Sarpsborg earlier in the month, Alexandersson’s side have secured consecutive victories for the first time since the start of May. 90 minutes away from officially extending on their Europa League qualifying adventure, Brann are sat firmly in the driving seat.
Brann Team News
Yet to make a single appearance since the middle of May, academy graduate Jonas Torsvik will once again miss out on Thursday evening. However, although the duo of Emil Kornvig and Eivind Fauske Helland might currently be serving domestic suspensions, both are free to feature in midweek
Bagging both first-leg gaol over in Sweden last week and now registering four goals in his previous six appearances across all competitions, Iceland international Saevar Magnusson will play a leading role in the final third.
Hacken
As for the visitors, missing out on the chance to claim a crucial first-leg advantage last week as they slumped to that 2-0 loss in Gothenburg, Hacken have an almighty qualifying job on their hands here. While Jens Gustafsson’s men might have extended on their Europa League charge last month as they edged past Anderlecht, the Wasps are enduring what has become a real rut. Failing to pick up any momentum last weekend as they played out an uneventful 0-0 stalemate away at Degerfors, Hacken have mustered just a single win from any of their previous eight appearances across all competitions. It should also be highlighted, Thursday’s guests have failed to register an away strike in almost 300 minutes of action.
Hacken Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Hacken will travel to Norway on Thursday evening without the likes of Leo Vaisanen, Johan Hammar and new recruit Brice Wembangomo. However, serving a domestic suspension last weekend, ex-Utrecht midfielder Simon Gustafson will return here.
Arriving from Italian outfit Empoli this year, veteran goalkeeper Etrit Berisha will start between the sticks in midweek. One-time Inter Milan youngster Silas Andersen will start in the middle of the park and should partner Samuel Leach.
Brann vs Hacken Key Factors to Consider
- When Brann and Hacken met for their first-leg showdown last week, Thursday’s hosts collected a 2-0 victory on foreign soil.
- Brann have registered consecutive victories across all competitions for the first time since the start of May.
- Hacken have notched just a single win from any of their previous eight appearances across all formats.
- The Wasps have failed to notch an away strike in almost 300 minutes of action.
- Nine of Hacken’s last 10 matchups outside of Gothenburg have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Putting in what was a stellar performance on foreign last week as they claimed that 2-0 first-leg victory in Gothenburg, Brann are sat firmly in the driving seat here. Appearing to have turned a much-welcomed corner over the past fortnight, Thursday’s hosts will be confident of extending on their Europa League qualifying adventure with another statement of intent. With Hacken now mustering just a single win from any of their last eight matchups across all competitions, the Wasps have an almighty mountain that they need to climb in midweek. Given what has been a recent gulf in class between Thursday’s opponents, we are backing a home victory in Bergen.
Verdict: Brann win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
