Bologna will welcome Brann to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara for the second leg of the UEFA Europa League playoff on Thursday, as the Italian side look to secure their position in the knockout stages following their first-leg advantage.
The host appear to have rediscovered their rhythm, with Monday’s 1-0 success against Udinese Calcio marking a third consecutive victory in all competitions.
That result also ended a seven-match home winless run, giving the Rossoblu renewed confidence ahead of this decisive second leg. Under Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna have shown impressive stability in Europe, going eight Europa League matches without defeat.
For Brann, preparations have been far from ideal. With the Norwegian domestic season not resuming until March, they have featured in just four competitive games since early December, all in this competition.
That lack of match sharpness has shown, as they failed to win any of those encounters, extending their Europa League winless streak to six matches. Brann have failed to score in three of their last five competitive away fixtures, including three in the Europa League. Overcoming Bologna in this second leg, therefore, looks like a big assignment.
Read our Bologna vs Brann predictions and preview to find out, and remember to check our other Europa League predictions.
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Bologna vs Brann prediction: Home team to win the game
Key statistics
- Bologna are on a three-match winning streak in all competitions, and two of those victories featured under 2.5 total goals.
- Bologna’s last meeting at home with Brann produced more than four cards in the game.
- Bologna won the first leg of this playoff against Brann in the Europa League.
Correct score prediction: Bologna 1-0 Brann
We expect the home team to secure a comfortable victory in this fixture, given their superior squad depth. We predict a 1-0 win for Bologna based on their unbeaten home record in this tournament and the clinical finishing they have displayed in recent weeks.
Given that the visitors failed to score in the first leg, we are confident that the hosts will control the game from start to finish and keep a clean sheet to progress.
Pre-match odds and win probability: Bologna heavy favourites at home
- Home: 4/9 (1.44) – 69.2%
- Draw: 18/5 (4.60) – 17.9%
- Away: 6/1 (7.00) – 14.3%
*Odds provided by Ladbrokes. Subject to change.*
Bologna FC are strong favourites to secure a home victory, with odds of 1.44 implying a 69.2% probability of taking all three points.
The draw is priced at 4.60 (18/5), suggesting a 17.9% chance of a stalemate. Brann are clear underdogs at 7.00 (6/1), which gives them a 14.3% implied chance of pulling off an upset on the road.
Most recent head-to-head: Bologna hold first leg advantage
The history between these two teams is relatively brief but has already shown a clear trend in favour of the Italian side. The last meeting between Bologna and Brann took place just days ago in the first leg, where the Rossoblu secured a 1-0 victory away from home.
Before that, these teams met during the league phase in November 2025, resulting in a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. In that match, the home side managed to secure a point despite playing with 10 men for the majority of the game.
Across these two recent meetings, Bologna have yet to concede a goal against the Norwegian side, making them the clear favourites for this second-leg encounter.
UEFA Europa League 19/02/26
SK Brann
Bologna
UEFA Europa League 06/11/25
Bologna
SK Brann
After reviewing our key Bologna vs Brann predictions, be sure to visit our website for the remaining football betting tips today.
Bologna preview: Defensive decisions for Italiano
Torbjorn Heggem has a minor hip issue and Bologna boss Italiano will have almost all of his first-choice options available, with just three defenders missing.
Former Brann player Eivind Helland and experienced full-back Lorenzo De Silvestri were both left out of the Rossoblu’s UEFA squad list, ruling them out of European involvement.
Meanwhile, Charalampos Lykogiannis, who was sent off in November’s meeting between the sides, remains sidelined through injury.
Predicted lineup: Skorupski (GK), Zortea, Lucumi, Casale, Miranda, Ferguson, Freuler, Moro, Bernardeschi, Cambiaghi & Castro
Last five fixtures
- 23.02.26 – Bologna 1–0 Udinese (Serie A)
- 19.02.26 – Brann 0–1 Bologna (Europa League)
- 15.02.26 – Torino 1–2 Bologna (Serie A)
- 11.02.26 – Bologna 1–2 Lazio (Coppa Italia)
- 08.02.26 – Bologna 0–1 Parma (Serie A)
Brann preview: Multiple absentees for the visitors
Brann will be without several squad members for this fixture, limiting their rotation options. Midfielders Saevar Atli Magnusson and Eggert Aron Gudmundsson are both unavailable.
Jonas Torsvik, Niklas Jensen Wassberg and Sakarias Opsahl also remain sidelined. Chilean striker Niklas Castro completes the list of absentees, further reducing the hosts’ attacking depth.
Predicted lineup: Dyngeland (GK), De Roeve, Knudsen, Boakye, Soltvedt, Mhyre, Sorensen, Ingason, Mathisen, Holm & Thorsteinsson
Last five fixtures
- 20.02.26 – Brann 2–2 Sotra (Club Friendly)
- 19.02.26 – Brann 0–1 Bologna (Europa League)
- 13.02.26 – Brann 6–1 Odd (Club Friendly)
- 29.01.26 – Sturm Graz 1–0 Brann (Europa League)
- 22.01.26 – Brann 3–3 Midtjylland (Europa League)
Player to watch: Noah Holm
Noah Holm is the player Bologna needs to keep an eye on in this fixture. The forward has been the star player for Brann, having scored two goals and provided one assist in the UEL.
He has become the primary focal point of their attack, and his presence in the box is very dangerous. His pace and clinical finishing will be the main threat to Bologna’s defence