Preview: SK Brann vs AEK Larnaca - prediction, team news, lineups

SK Brann welcome AEK Larnaca to Brann Stadion on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie, determined to seize the initiative in front of their supporters.

Bergens Stolthet approach the contest lifted by a 2-1 away success against Tromso in the Eliteserien at the weekend, while the Cypriot side arrive having already navigated a series of continental hurdles.

Match preview

Freyr Alexandersson would have been more than pleased with his team’s resilience at Romssa Arena on Sunday, where they overturned an early setback to secure all three points and climb to third place in the league table.

That result should inject confidence ahead of Thursday’s European encounter, although the manager remains cautious of a brewing trend of slow starts which could threaten their hopes of establishing control on home soil.

Just as in Tromso, Brann trailed at half-time in their previous Europa League clash with Hacken, but while there was no comeback on that occasion, the two-goal cushion carved out in Sweden was enough to see them progress.

Another concern that needs addressing is their recent struggles at Brann Stadion, where Bergens Stolthet have lost their last two European games, including a heavy 4-1 defeat to Salzburg in the Champions League before dropping into this competition.

Nevertheless, there is history to be made, as Brann have never reached the main stage of UEFA’s rebranded competitions, and they will aim to make home advantage count in pursuit of that unprecedented achievement.

AEK, by contrast, have enjoyed patches of success on the continental stage and are seeking to secure a fourth appearance in the Europa League group phase.

Their journey to this point has been built on dominance on their turf, with wins in all home ties across the previous three rounds, though results away from Cyprus have not been particularly convincing.

The visitors have drawn one and lost two of their three continental matches this season, including a 2-1 defeat at Legia Warsaw last time out, although they still advanced 5-3 on aggregate.

Encouragingly for AEK, they have scored in every away qualifier so far this campaign, suggesting that the Yellow-Greens will show attacking ambition again on Thursday.

SK Brann Europa League form:

SK Brann form (all competitions):

AEK Larnaca Europa League form:

Team News

Brann will go into this contest without left back Jonas Torsvik and Sakarias Opsahl, with both players unlikely to return before the end of the month.

Meanwhile, central midfielder Niklas Jensen Wassberg will also not be available after being ruled out for the season with a knee injury.

Despite conceding an own goal in the second leg against Hacken, defender Denzel De Roeve could be restored to the starting line-up after coming off the bench to score the decisive winner against Tromso.

AEK will be without Jeremie Gnali, who was sent off for a second booking in Warsaw, meaning Angel Garcia is likely to fill in at left back.

Meanwhile, forward Djordje Ivanovic was forced off in that encounter, making his availability for this one uncertain.

SK Brann possible starting lineup:

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

AEK Larnaca possible starting lineup:

Alomerovic; Ekpolo, Milicevic, Roberge, Garcia; Ledes, Miramon, Pons; Ivanovic, Angelski, Chacon

We say: SK Brann 2-1 AEK Larnaca

While Brann have endured some disappointing home results in Europe, facing an AEK side that has similarly struggled on its travels could tilt the balance in favour of the Norwegians as they look to make home advantage count on Thursday.

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