Verdict: Strasbourg win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to claim a first-leg advantage on Thursday night, Strasbourg will get their Europa Conference League adventure underway when they welcome Brondby to the Stade de la Meinau.
Strasbourg
Starting with the hosts, while some might have been shocked last summer following Liam Rosenior’s arrival at the Stade de la Meinau, Strasbourg embarked on a sensational rise under the former Hull City boss. Securing a seventh-place finish among France’s elite last season, Le Racing have rightfully received plenty of plaudits from across the continent. Getting the 2025/26 campaign underway with a gritty 1-0 victory away at Metz, the Blues find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Losing just a pair of their final 14 Ligue 1 appearances last season, Strasbourg also continued to shine with their performances in Alsace. Pencilled in as a standout contender when they return to the the Stade de la Meinau on Thursday night, Rosenior’s men have suffered just a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the start of February.
Strasbourg Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Strasbourg will once again be without the likes of Saidou Sow, Diego Moreira and former Rennes starlet Guela Doue on Thursday night. However, despite currently serving a domestic suspension, Ireland international Andrew Omobamidele will return to Rosenior’s squad.
Completing another loan switch from Premier League giants Chelsea this summer, 19-year-old Mamadou Sarr will start at the heart of Strasbourg’s defence here. Opening his account on his Ligue 1 debut last weekend, new recruit Joaquin Panichelli will lead the line in Alsace.
Brondby
As for the visitors, mounting what was an astonishing second-leg comeback last week as they eventually edged past Vikingur Reykjavik thanks to a remarkable 4-3 aggregate win, Brondby are enjoying what has been a recent flurry. Extending on their recent purple patch last weekend as they clinched a 2-0 victory away at historic rivals Randers, Frederik Birk’s side have won their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 8-1. However, regarded as a major underdog contender in midweek, the Yellows have shown some real European issues on their travels. Failing to win any of their six historic Europa Conference League appearances on foreign soil, Brondby should be bracing themselves for what will be a heavyweight challenge on Thursday night.
Brondby Team News
Shown a second-leg red card against Vikingur Reykjavik last week, academy graduate Clement Bischoff will miss out through suspension here. Not featuring over the past few weeks, ex-West Ham youngster Frederik Alves remains a major doubt.
Forced to settle for a spot on the bench away at Randers last weekend, former Croatian U21 international Marko Divkovic will be handed a full recall. Notching a trio of goals in his back-to-back appearances over the past week, Filip Bundgaard will lead the line.
Strasbourg vs Brondby Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s showdown at the Stade de la Meinau will be the first competitive meeting between Strasbourg and Brondby.
- Strasbourg have suffered just a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the start of February.
- Brondby have won their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 8-1.
- All of Strasbourg’s last six showdowns in Alsace have finished with over 2.5 goals.
- Brondby have failed to win any of their six Europa Conference League showdowns on foreign soil.
Conclusion
While Brondby might have mounted a sensational second-leg comeback against Vikingur Reykjavik last week, Thursday’s guests will be bracing themselves for a stern examination here. Watching Strasbourg gain a string of plaudits on either side of the summer break, Le Racing have also recived quite the reputation for their extended success on home soil. With Rosenior’s side suffering just a single defeat at the Stade de la Meinau since the start of February, we are backing a home win in midweek.
Verdict: Strasbourg win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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