Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Two camps who will be looking to claim a first-leg advantage on Wednesday evening, Salzburg will welcome Club Brugge to the Red Bull Arena.
Salzburg
Starting with the hosts, extending on their Champions League qualifying adventure last week as they clinched a thumping 4-1 aggregate win against Brann, Salzburg will know the importance of claiming a first-leg advantage here. However, opening their domestic campaign with a missed opportunity over the weekend as they got proceedings underway with an action-packed 2-2 stalemate away at Ried, Thomas Letsch’s side are seeking some recent defensive stability. Signing off their pre-season preparations with a shock 2-1 loss against Championship outfit Derby, the Red Bulls have registered just a pair of clean sheets from any of their previous 10 competitive appearances across all competitions. It should also be highlighted, Salzburg have failed register consecutive clean sheets since the end of March.
Salzburg Team News
While Frans Kratzig might have been shown a late red card away at Ried over the weekend, the former Bayern Munich youngster is free to feature on Wednesday evening. However, still dealing with a stacked injury list, the likes of Moussa Kounfolo Yeo, Christian Zawieschitzky and John Mellberg.
Coming off the bench and finding the net last week, former PSV star Yorbe Vertessen should be handed a full recall in the final third. Completing a summer switch from Brondby, Jacob Rasmussen will start at the heart of Salzburg’s defence.
Club Brugge
As for the visitors, relinquishing their domestic crown last season as they had to settle for a silver medal finish among Belgium’s elite, Club Brugge have plenty of pressure on their shoulders this time around. Despite getting the 2025/26 campaign underway with a 2-1 win against Genk on July 27th, Nicky Hayen’s side came crashing back down to earth last time out. Getting August underway with a 2-1 loss away at KV Mechelen, Wednesday’s guests are desperately seeking an immediate response here. However, despite being crowned Super Cup champions on July 20th as they clinched a 2-1 win against Royale Union, Brugge have shown their own defensive inconsistencies. In fact, continuing on from last season, Hayen’s camp have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous eight outings across all fronts.
Club Brugge Team News
Still dealing with an Achilles tendon injury and yet to make a competitive appearance since opening up the 2025 campaign, Sweden international Gustaf Nilsson remains on the sidelines and will not feature on Wednesday evening.
However, after serving a domestic ban over the weekend, Ecuadorian youngster Joel Ordonez will return to Hayen’s travelling squad here. Finding the net in two of his previous three appearances, one-time Norwich City star Christos Tzolis will play a leading role in attack.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Salzburg and Club Brugge last met back in February 2019, the Red Bulls collected a thumping 4-0 victory on home soil.
- The two historic meetings between Wednesday’s opponents have produced seven goals at both ends of the pitch.
- Continuing on from last season, Club Brugge have registered just a sole clean sheet from their previous eight attempts.
- Likewise, Salzburg have failed to register consecutive clean sheets across any competition since the end of March.
- Three of Salzburg’s first four competitive appearances this season have finished with over 3.5 goals.
Conclusion
Watching Salzburg play out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate away at Ried while in domestic action last weekend, neutrals will be hoping for another qualifying thriller here. Two camps who have struggled to find any real defensive stability on either side of the summer break, chances could fall at both ends of the pitch on Wednesday evening. Likewise, with Club Brugge seeing eight of their last nine matchups continuing on from last season finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Dachbet
