A Scandinavian showdown awaits at Bravida Arena when BK Hacken brace for their toughest test yet in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, as they welcome a SK Brann side still reeling from their recent Champions League exit to RB Salzburg.
View our UEFA Europa League predictions after analysing our key Hacken vs Brann tips below.
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Key stats
- Hacken are winless in four of their last five competitive games (D1, L3).
- The hosts have won two of their last five home fixtures across all competitions (D1, L2).
- Brann are unbeaten in back-to-back games across Eliteserien and Champions League (W1, D1).
- The visitors have won just once in five away competitive matches (D2, L2).
Correct score prediction: Hacken 2-2 Brann
Fresh from their impressive European victories over Spartak Trnava and Anderlecht, Hacken approach Thursday’s first leg with growing continental confidence, despite their inconsistent Allsvenskan form. Jens Gustafsson’s men showed resilience to rebound from a 6-1 humiliation against Djurgarden with their crucial Europa League triumph over Anderlecht, though they’ve managed just one win in their last six domestic outings.
Brann arrive having snapped a four-game winless streak with their Eliteserien victory over Sarpsborg. While ultimately suffering a 5-2 aggregate defeat to RB Salzburg in Champions League qualifying, their battling second leg draw in Austria proved their threat. With Freyr Alexandersson’s side demonstrating their ability to deliver in big moments, and Hacken’s shaky domestic form, this Europa League qualifier appears finely balanced. We predict the Swedish hosts may capitalise on home advantage to secure a hard-fought draw in this first leg encounter.
Pre-game odds and win probability: No winners here
- HOME: 6/4 (3.50) – 28.5%
- DRAW: 11/10 (2.10) – 47.6%
- AWAY: 6/4 (3.50) – 28.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
While Brann held Austrian heavyweights RB Salzburg to a hard-fought draw in their latest European outing, Hacken impressively beat Belgian giants Anderlecht to progress to this stage. But other than that, both sides have been ineffective in recent encounters, and bookmakers view this clash from a neutral perspective. They both carry 6/4 (3.50) odds in their favour to emerge victorious, implying a 28.5% chance of success.
Don’t forget to check out more of our football betting tips page after analysing our Hacken vs Brann predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting
The two sides have never met before – this maiden clash adds a layer of uncertainty to this fixture.
Hacken preview: Can they replicate the result from their home victory?
Hacken will miss the services of Peter Abrahamsson, Johan Hammar, Jacob Laursen, Leo Vaisanen, and Brice Wembangomo.
Predicted lineup: Berisha (GK), Lindberg, Lundqvist, Lode, Samuelsson, Holm, Andersen, Svanback, Nioule, Gustafson & Layouni
Sweden Allsvenskan 10/05/25
L
Sirius
2
BK Hacken
0
Sweden Allsvenskan 04/05/25
W
IFK Norrkoping
0
BK Hacken
2
Sweden Allsvenskan 27/04/25
D
Hammarby
1
BK Hacken
1
Sweden Allsvenskan 23/04/25
L
Degerfors
4
BK Hacken
3
Sweden Allsvenskan 20/04/25
W
IFK Goteborg
2
BK Hacken
3
Brann preview: Can they take the lead in the first leg?
Alexandersson will be without Sakarias Opsahi and Tviberg Torsvik – Brann’s only absentees.
Predicted lineup: Dyngeland (GK), Helland, Pedersen, Larsen, Soltvedt, Gudmunsson, Sorenson, Myhre, Mathisen, Kornvig & Magnusson
Predicted lineup: Matheus (GK), Milosavljvic, Rodrigao, Veljkovic, Tiknizyan, Krunic, Katai, Elsnik & Milson
Norway Eliteserien 11/05/25
D
Rosenborg
0
SK Brann
0
Norway Cup 07/05/25
L
Bryne
2
SK Brann
1
Norway Eliteserien 03/05/25
W
Valerenga
2
SK Brann
4
Norway Eliteserien 27/04/25
W
Bryne
2
SK Brann
3
Norway Cup 24/04/25
W
Bjarg
0
SK Brann
2
Player to watch: Eggert Gudmunsson
Gudmundsson was Brann’s best player on the pitch in their 4-1 victory over Sarpsborg, registering a goal and an assist in a MOTM display. It was his first goal since netting against the same opponent in mid-May. The Iceland midfielder could prove pivotal in this first-leg qualifier.