The Matchday 1 clash in the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League group stage between Lille (France) and Brann (Norway) will take place on September 25 at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Lille vs. Brann: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Lille
The team secured a direct spot in the Europa League group stage thanks to their fifth-place finish in last season's French championship. As a result, Lille will participate in the main draw of the Europa League for the fifth time in their history, with their best achievement in this competition being a Round of 16 appearance in the 2009/10 season. Notably, the French side has lost their last three Europa League matches, but they have scored in eight consecutive games in this tournament.
- The club has not won 8 of their last 9 home matches in the Europa League (6 draws, 2 losses).
- The team has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 7 of their last 9 home games in this competition.
- The French side has conceded in their last six home Europa League matches.
Predicted lineup for Lille (4-5-1)
Berke Özer – Romain Perraud, Nathan Ngoy, Chancel Mbemba, Aïssa Mandi – Nabil Bentaleb, Ayoub Bouaddi, Félix Correia, Hákon Haraldsson, Matías Fernández Pardo – Olivier Giroud.
Defenders Ousmane Touré, Alessandro, and Thomas Meunier are unavailable due to injuries.
Brann
Freyr Alexandersson's side began their European campaign this season in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, where they were defeated by Salzburg (1-4, 1-1). Dropping into the Europa League, Brann went on to eliminate Häcken (2-0, 0-1) and AEK Larnaca (2-1, 4-0) to earn a spot in the group stage. As a result, the team will participate in the main draw of the Europa League for the first time in their history.
- The club has not lost by more than one goal in their last six away matches in the Europa League.
- The team has scored in 5 of their last 6 away games in this competition.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 6 of Brann's last 8 away Europa League matches.
Predicted lineup for Brann (4-3-3)
Mathias Dyngeland – Thor Pedersen, Fredrik Knudsen, Øyvind Helgeland, Vetle Dragsnes – Emil Kornvig, Jakob Sørensen, Felix Myhre – Ulrik Mathisen, Saevar Magnusson, Niklas Castro.
Defender Yafet Sery is sidelined due to injury.
Referee
Allard Lindhout (Netherlands)
Matches – 5 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 21;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 40%.
Lille vs. Brann: Match Prediction
In the Europa League, Lille has struggled to deliver confident performances at home: in their last nine home matches in this competition, they have secured just one victory. Moreover, in 6 of their last 8 home games in the Europa League, the club has scored a maximum of one goal.
Brann lacks extensive experience in European competitions but has rarely suffered heavy defeats in the Europa League. Over their last eight matches in this tournament, the team has recorded just three losses, with only one of those defeats being by more than one goal. Additionally, in this season's Europa League, the club has conceded just two goals in four matches.
I expect the visitors to pose a significant challenge to the French side. My prediction: Brann with a handicap (+1.5)
