Lille vs Brann prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-09-24 16:45.
[p]Lille are looking for a strong start to their UEFA Europa League (UEL) campaign when they host Norwegian side Brann, who arrive in imperious form and looking to prove they belong on the continental stage.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Lille crashed to their first league defeat of the season as they were thrashed 3-0 by Lens at the weekend, but three wins from their opening five games still represents a solid start (D1, L1). Such a negative result hardly serves as ideal preparation ahead of their first UEL campaign since 2020/21, but the Mastiffs have strong European form behind them having opened last season’s Champions League by going three games unbeaten en route to the last 16. Reaching the latter stages again will likely be an expectation for Lille, who’ve lost just four matches in the group/league phase of European competitions since 2020/21 (W15, D7).[/p]
[p]In contrast to their hosts, Brann head into their first major European competition since the 2008/09 UEFA Cup on the back of a 3-0 domestic victory which extended their unbeaten streak across all competitions to seven games (W6, D1). Replicating their title-chasing domestic form on the European stage will be a huge ask, as Brann have won just one of their games against sides from Europe’s top-five leagues in the 21st century (W1, D1, L6), a trend they’ll hope to buck after going unbeaten in away qualifiers this season (W2, D1).[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]This is Lille’s first ever game against Norwegian opposition. Brann have faced French sides on three prior occasions, failing to win each time (D1, L2). [/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Each of Lille’s last five UEL home games saw both teams score.[/p]
[p]Lille avoided defeat in five of the last six UEL home games in which they conceded first. [/p]
[p]Brann have failed to win 13 of their last 14 away games in major European competition (D3, L10). [/p]
[p]Brann have scored at least twice in each of their last six away games. [/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Lille forward and former European champion Olivier Giroud has directly contributed to 19 goals in 25 UEL appearances (G15, A4). Sævar Magnússon has scored three goals in UEFA qualifiers for Brann this term, while five of his last six club strikes arrived away from home. [/p]
[p]Lille will be without Thomas Meunier and Alexsandro, while Romain Perraud also went off injured at the weekend. Brann continue in the absence of Sakarias Opsahl and Japhet Sery Larsen.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Lille should have enough firepower to overcome the threat of Brann in this UEL opener, but the visitors are capable of leaving a mark which is why we’re going for a Lille win and both teams to score. [/p]
[p][i]Author: Matthew Billon[/i][/p]