Preview: Hacken vs. SK Brann – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

Following a remarkable upset victory over Anderlecht, Hacken face SK Brann in the third qualifying round of the Europa League on Thursday, aiming for a positive result in the first leg at Hisingen Arena.

Jens Gustafsson needed penalties to defeat the Belgian giants and now face Brann, who dropped into the competition after failing to progress in the Champions League, and the winner over two legs will advance to the playoff round in Europe’s second-tier club competition.

Match preview

Hacken entered last week’s second leg against Anderlecht in Gothenburg knowing the task was achievable after only losing the first leg in Brussels 1-0.

However, they faced the reverse fixture after suffering a 6-1 league defeat at home against Djurgarden, which was far from ideal preparation for a crucial continental tie.

Despite taking a first-half lead, Kasper Dolberg equalised for Anderlecht before the hour mark, and the score remained the same entering second-half stoppage time, leaving Jens Gustafsson’s team on the verge of elimination; however, Simon Gustafson scored a 92nd-minute penalty to send the match into extra time, and the Swedish side ultimately won 4-2 on penalties.

The Wasps’ reward for that dramatic victory is a clash with Brann, who were eliminated by Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League — another tough challenge for the Gothenburg-based team.

Just like last week, Hacken go into Thursday’s match after a home defeat in the league, though this was a narrow 2-1 loss to Elfsborg, not a heavy defeat, but fans’ confidence remains high after witnessing the team’s response against Anderlecht just days after their 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Djurgarden.

Brann’s form before facing Salzburg was lacklustre, as shown by two wins, a draw and two losses in the Norwegian Eliteserien.

That string of results was even more notable for the lack of clean sheets — only one in the 1-0 victory over Sandefjord on June 30 — and the team’s difficulty in preventing four of five opponents from scoring did not look promising ahead of the clash with the Austrian side.

As it happened, Freyr Alexandersson’s team conceded five goals over the tie against Salzburg, losing 4-1 at home before earning a respectable 1-1 draw in Austria last week, though it was not enough to avoid elimination from Champions League qualifying.

Nevertheless, the Pride of Bergen’s aim to compete in Europe this season remains alive, but they must beat Hacken to progress to the playoff round, where either AEK Larnaca or Legia Warsaw await.

Unlike their opponents, who lost their most recent league match, Brann claimed victory in their league fixture at Sarpsborg, winning 4-1, even though the goal conceded means Alexandersson’s team has now conceded in six consecutive games across all competitions, giving Hacken confidence ahead of Thursday.

Hacken Europa League form:

Hacken form (all competitions):

SK Brann form (all competitions):

Team News

While Brice Wembangomo and Peter Abrahamsson are reportedly close to returning for Hacken, it is unlikely they will play on Thursday. 

Unquestionably unavailable for the Wasps are Johan Hammar (Achilles) and Leo Vaisanen (knee), who are long-term absentees.

Although Amor Layouni has not scored in back-to-back games in all competitions against Anderlecht and Elfsborg, the forward created goals for teammates in both matches, meaning the star forward, who has scored five and provided as many assists domestically, has either scored or assisted in three consecutive appearances for the hosts.

Brann do not face as many injury issues as their opponents, although Jonas Torsvik (muscle), Niklas Jensen Wassberg (knee) and Sakarias Opsahl (foot) are not expected to participate in Gothenburg.

With Aune Heggebo now at West Bromwich Albion, the Pride of Bergen must find attacking solutions after losing their seven-goal league forward.

Bard Finne (four goals), Eggert Aron Gudmundsson (three), and left-back Joachim Soltvedt (two goals, five assists) all aim to play pivotal roles for the away side.

Hacken possible starting lineup:

Berisha; Lindberg, Lode, Samuelsson, Lundqvist; Andersen, Gustafson, Holm; Nioule, Svanback, Layouni 

SK Brann possible starting lineup:

Dyngeland; Roeve, Pedersen, Larsen, Soltvedt; Gudmundsson, Sorensen, Myhre; Mathisen, Finne, Magnusson

We say: Hacken 1-1 SK Brann

Hacken have conceded in six of their last seven matches across all competitions, while Brann have let in at least one goal in nine of their previous 10, pointing to both sides scoring in Thursday’s contest. 

With neither side pulling up trees in recent meetings, both teams could share the spoils in a score draw in Gothenburg.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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