Verdict: Salzburg win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Simply looking to extend on their Champions League qualifying adventure with another statement of intent, Salzburg will welcome Brann to the Red Bull Arena.
Salzburg
Starting with the hosts, while Salzburg might have travelled over to Norway last week facing what could have been a real first-leg examination, Thomas Letsch’s side put in a sensational performance. Storming their way to a 4-1 victory in Bergen, the former Bochum boss will be calling on a repeat display here. Opening their domestic campaign by extending on their OFB Cup adventure thanks to a 4-0 romp against Dietach last weekend, Salzburg have certainly found a real clinical edge in the final third. Likewise, suffering just a single competitive defeat in front of their own supporters since the end of January, Salzburg will be excited to make a return to the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night. Despite mustering just a single clean sheet in front of their own supporters since returning from March’s international break, Letsch’s side will be smelling the chance to lay down another qualifying marker.
Salzburg Team News
Making a permanent move from Brondby last month, former Fiorentina defender Jacob Rasmussen will partner 18-year-old Joane Gadou at the back. All coming off the bench and finding the net in Bergen last week, the trio of Yorbe Vertessen, Karim Onisiwo and Denmark international Maurits Kjaergaard could be handed full recalls.
One-time Brentford starlet Mads Bidstrup will feature in the middle of the park. Arriving from German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach this summer, Austrian international Stefan Lainer will keep his spot at right-back.
Brann
As for the visitors, missing out on the chance to claim an essential first-leg advantage last week, Brann are seeking a real Champions League miracle on Wednesday night. Suffering an infamous collapse in Bergen and hit with that 4-1 drumming, Freyr Alexandersson’s side have come under some recent scrutiny. Including a 2-0 loss away at KFUM Oslo earlier in the month, Brann have remarkably failed to register consecutive wins across any competition since the start of May. Sat outside the European spots among Norway’s elite, Wednesday’s guests have also shown some extended issues on the road. Slumping to a 3-0 drumming against Bodo/Glimt last month, the Reds have mustered just a sole victory from their previous five matchups outside of Bergen.
Brann Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Brann will once again be without the likes of Jonas Torsvik, Sakarias Opsahl, Fredrik Knudsen and Chile international Niklas Castro on Wednesday night. However, despite currently serving a domestic suspension, ex-Midtjylland youngster Japhet Sery Larsen is free to feature here.
Completing a permanent switch from Nordsjaelland this summer, 22-year-old Mads Hansen should get some more minuets under his belt at the Red Bull Arena.
Salzburg vs Brann Key Factors to Consider
- When Salzburg and Brann met for their first-leg showdown in Bergen last week, the Red Bulls collected a stellar 4-1 victory on home soil.
- Salzburg have notched a quartet of goals in their back-to-back appearances over the past week.
- Brann have failed to register consecutive victories across any competition since the start of May.
- Likewise, Wednesday’s guests have mustered just a sole win from any of their previous five matchups outside of Bergen.
- Salzburg have suffered just a single competitive defeat at the Red Bull Arena since the end of January.
Conclusion
Putting in what was a sensational first-leg performance in Bergen last week, Salzburg are sat firmly in the driving seat when they return to the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night. Storming their way to a 4-1 victory, Letsch’s side will be looking to lay down another qualifying marker here. Pencilled in as a standout contender in midweek, Salzburg will also be excited to make a return to home soil. Suffering just a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the end of January, a struggling Brann should be bracing themselves for another tricky test here.
Verdict: Salzburg win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Luckster