SK Brann and Fenerbahce are set for a pivotal clash on Thursday in the Europa League, with both teams currently tied on eight points. A win would greatly enhance their chances of securing a spot in the tournament’s top eight. This match represents a historic occasion, marking the first meeting between the two clubs, as well as Brann’s debut clash with Turkish teams. Fenerbahce, however, has previously faced Norwegian opposition, having triumphed over Molde in the 2015-16 season.
Fenerbahce began their Europa League campaign on a challenging note, suffering a 3-1 loss to Dinamo Zagreb. However, this setback has been isolated, as the team has shown resilience under the guidance of coach Domenico Tedesco. Since taking charge, Tedesco has led Fenerbahce in 17 matches across all competitions, achieving nine victories, seven draws, and just one defeat. Following the loss to Zagreb, the Yellow Canaries have rebounded impressively, securing eight points from their subsequent four European fixtures while narrowing the gap to Super Lig leaders Galatasaray to a mere three points.
As they prepare to travel to Norway, Fenerbahce carries an impressive streak of 13 unbeaten matches in all competitions (W8, D5). Nevertheless, their away form in Europe has raised concerns, as they remain winless on the road this season (1D, 3L). Historical performance also offers a mixed picture: while they delivered a strong home performance against Molde, they faltered in the away leg, losing 3-1. Tedesco’s side will need to be aware of their disciplinary record as well, having accumulated more yellow cards (22) than any other team in the opening five rounds, a trend that has sometimes disrupted their momentum.
On the other side, Brann seeks to exploit Fenerbahce’s struggles in away matches, relying on their solid home form in the competition. Both of their Europa League victories this season have occurred at home, showcasing the confidence they derive from playing in Bergen. However, they face the challenge of not having played competitively in nearly two weeks, their last outing being a 3-1 win against HamKam in their final league match. Finishing fourth in the Eliteserien has secured Brann a UEFA Conference League qualifying spot for the 2026-27 season, but their current aim is to navigate past the league phase of the Europa League for only the second time in their history. Their defensive capabilities have been a standout, with only Lyon recording more clean sheets than Brann’s three in the first five matches.
Both teams are grappling with injury concerns. Brann is missing four players, including Felix Myhre, Jonas Torsvik, Sakarias Opsahl, and Saevar Magnusson, while young midfielder Eggert Aron Gudmundsson is attempting to recover in time for the match. Fenerbahce faces similar difficulties, being without Nelson Semedo and former Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu due to injuries. Additionally, Jhon Duran is unavailable after a red card in the last match against Ferencvaros, and captain Mert Yandas continues to serve a suspension amidst an investigation regarding alleged betting breaches.
As the teams finalize their preparations, potential lineups have emerged. For Brann, the expected starting eleven includes Dyngeland; De Roeve, Helland, Larsen, Dragsnes; Kornvig, Sorensen, Pedersen; Castro, Finne, and Mathisen. Fenerbahce’s probable lineup features Ederson; Muldur, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Brown; Yuksek, Alvarez; Nene, Asensio, Akturkoglu; and En-Nesyri.
This matchup appears to be finely balanced, with Brann’s defensive stability and their strong home record providing a solid foundation against Fenerbahce, who are still in search of their first away win in the Europa League this season. A tightly contested encounter is anticipated, making a score draw a realistic expectation for this significant matchup.
