Arouca vs SK Brann Prediction & Betting Tips - Conference League

Prediction published on 08/08/2023, 17:05  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 08/08/2023 at 17:05 in Conference League Predictions

The third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League will see Arouca play host to Brann on Thursday evening. The winner of this two-legged encounter will take on either FC Santa Coloma or AZ Alkmaar in the next round. Both sides will be making their entry into this competition in this round. The hosts ended last season fifth in Liga Portugal with 54 points, 20 behind Sporting in fourth place. Arouca recorded 15 wins, nine draws, and ten losses over the course of the league season, scoring 36 goals while conceding 37 in that time. They won their last match 2-0 over Rio Avenue in a Taca da Liga contest last week, which saw them end the preseason unbeaten in five matches, including four wins and a draw. Notably, each of their five preseason matches were played at home, and they scored two or more in four of those games. The hosts are the favourites coming into this match. 

Meanwhile, Brann earned their place in these qualifiers by winning the Norwegian Cup last season despite competing in the Norwegian First Division. The visitors also earned promotion back to Eliteserien by winning the First Division by a whopping 23-point margin over Stabaek in second place. Their return to the top flight has also gone fairly well, as they are currently fifth in the league standings with 30 points, just after the halfway point in the season. In their 18 matches to date, Brann have won nine, drawn three, and lost six, and are currently only six points behind the top three teams. However, their away record has been less impressive, with just three wins in nine matches, along with one draw and five losses. Still, they are a side on the up and are mid-way through their league season, while this will be their opponent's first real test of the season.