Match Overview

The first play-off match of the 2025/26 Europa Conference League qualification between Strasbourg (France) and Brøndby (Denmark) will take place on August 21 at the La Meinau stadium. Here’s our comprehensive preview for Strasbourg vs Brøndby, including our prediction, betting tips, odds, and key statistics.

Strasbourg Preview

Strasbourg’s Journey to the ECL

The French club enters the Europa Conference League main draw battle at this qualification stage. They earned their spot in the ECL qualifiers by finishing 7th in the last Ligue 1 season. Strasbourg last featured on the European stage in the 2019/20 season, failing to reach the Europa League group stage after being eliminated by Eintracht Frankfurt in the play-off qualifying round (1-0, 0-3 aggregate). Notably, the club has limited experience in European competitions this century, having participated twice in the main stages of the UEFA Cup and now appearing in European tournament qualification for only the second time.  

Key Strasbourg Stats

• Strasbourg’s European record in the Europa League shows a determined streak of 6 matches (4 wins, 2 losses), with no draws.
• At home, Strasbourg has won their last 3 matches in Europe’s second-tier competition, with the last 2 ending in identical 1-0 victories.
• No more than 3 goals have been scored in 5 of the club’s Europa League matches.

Strasbourg’s Predicted Lineup (5-3-2)*

Mike Penders – Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Junior Mwanga, Lucas Hœsbourg, Mamadou Sarr, Gemissongi Ouattara – Samir El Mourabet, Félix Lemaréchal, Valentin Barco – Joaquín Panichelli, Emanuel Emegha.

Brøndby Preview

Brøndby’s European Campaign So Far

The Danish side began their current ECL campaign in the second qualifying round. On their path to the play-off matches, Brøndby overcame HB Tórshavn (1-1, 1-0 aggregate) and Víkingur Reykjavík (0-3, 4-0 aggregate). Notably, this marks the first time the team has reached the decisive qualification round of the ECL, having previously been eliminated in the third qualifying round in the 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons. In contrast to their upcoming opponents, Brøndby possesses significantly more experience on the European stage. In the new millennium, the club has rarely missed a European competition season, though they have most frequently been eliminated in the qualifying stages.  

Key Brøndby Stats

• The team has remained undefeated in 9 out of 12 Europa Conference League matches (5 wins, 4 draws).
• Brøndby has scored in 11 out of 12 games in Europe’s third-tier competition.
• The club has never won an away match in the ECL (4 draws, 2 losses).

Brøndby’s Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)*

Patrick Pentz – Jordi Vanlerberghe, Rasmus Lauritsen, Luis Binks – Oliver Villadsen, Stein Spierings, Benjamin Tahirović, Mats Kjaer – Noah Narti, Filip Bundgaard, Clement Bischoff.

Match Official

Genc Nuza (Kosovo)

Referee Statistics

Matches officiated – 7 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26); Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 37; Average yellow cards per match – 5.3; Red cards shown – 2; Average fouls per match – 31; Penalties awarded – 43%.

Match Prediction: Strasbourg vs. Brøndby

Strasbourg’s Ambition and Recent Form

The French team, not accustomed to frequent European appearances, will exert every effort to finally qualify for the main stage of a European competition. The last time the club achieved this was in the distant 2005/06 UEFA Cup season, where the Alsatians ultimately reached the Round of 16. Strasbourg performed admirably in the previous French championship, contending for a Champions League spot until the very end. Heading into the new season, the club has strengthened further by retaining all key players and reinforcing their squad during the summer transfer window. They kicked off the new Ligue 1 campaign with a narrow but confident away victory over Metz (1-0).  

Brøndby’s Challenges and Away Record

Brøndby competes in the Danish championship, which is considerably weaker than the French league in terms of quality. Furthermore, the current market value of the visiting squad is six times lower than that of Strasbourg. The team struggled significantly even in the previous qualification rounds of the current ECL campaign, facing relatively modest opponents like HB Tórshavn from the Faroe Islands and Iceland’s Víkingur Reykjavík, to whom Brøndby lost 0-3 in an away match. As previously noted, the Danish side has generally failed to secure an away victory in the Europa Conference League.  

Final Verdict and Betting Tip

Conversely, the Alsatians have triumphed in all three of their home encounters in Europe’s third-tier competition. I am confident that the team will secure another victory in this match. My prediction is a Strasbourg Win with odds of 1.60  

Author

Author: Roman Sedov  

Disclaimer

* The starting lineup for each team is based on their last match.