- SK Brann Bergen have won 4 of their last 6 home games across all competitions, losing twice and conceding 8 goals in the process.
- FC PAOK Thessaloniki are on a streak of 2 draws and 1 defeat away across all competitions.
- Both of the last 2 meetings between the clubs have ended even.
Familiar foes face off at Brann Stadion
SK Brann Bergen face off against FC PAOK Thessaloniki at Brann Stadion in Norway as the pair do battle. The last meeting finished 1-1 in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 and the head-to-head between the two clubs is perfectly balanced. Eirik Horneland has been pushing Brann up the pitch in an aggressive 4-3-3, using a fierce press and fast vertical transitions to try and catch the opponent off guard. On the other hand, Alessio Lisci has been playing a more balanced 4-2-3-1 with PAOK, controlling the build-up, using the full-backs to generate width and pressing selectively when possible.
Brann Bergen are the better side
This matchup is one of pressure vs control. Brann will want to apply pressure and try and take the ball off PAOK in areas of the field where they are comfortable with it, whereas the visitors will look to try and slow the game down, control possession and play their football in transition.
The hosts arrive as the stronger side in all areas. They've won 6 of their last 10 matches across all competitions (D2, L2), drawing 1 and losing 1 in their last 5, beating Ham-Kam 3-0 at home before coming out on top in a 2-4 extra-time thriller away at Apollon Limassol in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026.
Meanwhile, PAOK have been more up and down this season with 3 wins, 4 draws and 3 defeats across their last 10. Their form is similar over their most recent 5 matches (W2, D1, L2), losing at home to Anderlecht before succumbing in the return leg in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026.
Going for goals
The bookies have Brann as slight favourites at 2.59, which is ahead of PAOK at 2.74 and even further ahead of the draw at 3.44. We think the hosts are the most likely winners here given their form, but we're going to take a slightly different angle.
The energy of the home side and the slightly better form of the home side should put Brann in front at the end of the day, but this first leg is likely to be a close game. Niklas Castro has been their sharp edge in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026, scoring 3 goals in 4 appearances so far. On the other side, Giannis Konstantelias is the form player for PAOK with 3 goals in his last 5, which has helped them score 8 times across that same 5-match spell. Abdul Rahman Baba is also a threat with 1 goal in 1 match in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026.
As such, both teams to score at 1.55 seems like a sensible alternative, especially as this tie seems tight but open.
