Lille vs SK Brann Predictions

• Brann have failed to score in only one of their last 11 fixtures in all competitions.
• Brann have played six European qualification fixtures (UCL & UEL) since the summer and they failed to score on only one occasion.
• Lille have won each of their first two home matches of the new campaign.

Both teams could register at the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Lille suffered their heaviest defeat of the season so far on Saturday when they were beaten 3-0 by a rampant Lens and their leaky defending could turn Thursday’s Europa League opener against Brann into an awkward assignment.

Bruno Génésio’s side have secured only one clean sheet in five attempts this term and their backline could be breached again by a Brann side that has hit a rich vein of goal-scoring form.

The Norwegians have registered 12 goals in their last four games combined, four of which were dispatched against AEK Larnaca (4-0) in the second leg of their Europa League Group Phase qualification tie.

In total, they have failed to find the net only once in their last 11 matches in all competitions, with recent Icelandic acquisition Sævar Atli Magnússon (five goals in six apps) a particularly dynamic performer.

Brann’s reliability in the final third opens up an opportunity to back both teams to score on Thursday evening, however, our correct score forecast of 2-1 favours the hosts.

Lille were a formidable force in Europe last season and enjoyed wins over Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Bologna and Feyenoord in the Champions League. They were unbeaten at the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy through the UCL Group Stage, averaging 2.75 goals along the way and they can make the most of home advantage on the continent again on Thursday.