The second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League takes place this week, and one of the more intriguing ties features Norwegian outfit SK Brann against FIFA Club World Cup participants RB Salzburg.
On paper, these two teams are heading into this fixture with similar form, with both sides having featured regularly in competitive competition in recent weeks. SK Brann enter this game with two wins from their previous five matches and will look to capitalise on home advantage heading into the second leg. The home side are unbeaten in their last four home games (including friendlies). However, before this, the Norwegian side had been winless in three on home soil.
SK Brann have been defensively poor, with no clean sheets in their previous three matches and having conceded at least two goals in two of their previous five matches. RB Salzburg will look to capitalise on the defensive frailties shown by their hosts, and the Austrian side have shown their attacking potency in recent weeks. RB Salzburg have scored two or more goals in two of their previous five matches, which includes scoring twice against Mexican side CF Pachuca. Away from home, the Austrian side ended their league campaign with three wins from their remaining five league games, showing they can certainly pose a threat to SK Brann.
One player who will certainly look to make an impact for the visitors is Israeli international, Oscar Gloukh. The 21-year-old is the latest in the long line of young prospects to come through at RB Salzburg, and last season he was on hand to provide 15 goal contributions in 21 league starts.
We are leaning towards a narrow victory for RB Salzburg in a 2-1 scoreline.
SK Brann 1-2 RB Salzburg.
Norwegian Eliteserien 
Austrian Bundesliga - Regular Season 
