Brann vs Barcelona Match Analysis & Prediction
20/03/2024 11:00 pm
Barcelona Women will continue the defence of their Women’s Champions League title when they travel to Norway to face SK Brann Women in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Wednesday night.
Brann finished behind record European champions Lyon in the group stage, while Barcelona dropped just two points on their way to winning Group A.
Brann’s memorable campaign in this season’s Champions League began with qualfying victories over Lokomotiv Stara Zagora, Anderlecht and Glasgow City.
As a result of their success in qualifying, Brann became the first Norwegian side to reach the group stage since the format was introduced for the 2021-22 campaign.
They began the main draw as the team with the lowest coefficient, but they ultimately exceeded expectations to win four and draw one of their six matches (L1), ensuring they finished above Slavia Prague and St Polten.
Although they have been presented with a tough draw against Barcelona, Martin Ho’s side proved they could compete with the very best teams in Europe when they fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 in their home encounter with eventual group winners Lyon.
If Brann are to trouble Barcelona, they will have to improve upon their display in Sunday’s league opener against Lillestrom, with goals from Cecilie Kvamme and Rakel Engesvik proving fruitless in a 4-2 defeat.
Having already wrapped up the Spanish Super Cup, Barcelona are still looking to collect three more pieces of silverware in Jonathan Giraldez’s final season as head coach.
Barca recently secured their spot in the Copa de la Reina final with an aggregate victory over Athletic Bilbao, while they are currently nine points clear at the top of the Liga F table after winning 10 and drawing one of their 20 league matches.
They are also set to make their ninth successive appearance in the Champions League quarter-finals after winning five of their six matches (D1) to top a group that contained Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt and Rosengard.
After successfully negotiating their previous five quarter-final ties, the Blaugrana will be heavy favourites to overcome Brann and set up a semi-final clash with either Ajax or Chelsea.
Barcelona, who are yet to lose a competitive match this season, will carry significant momentum into the first leg after winning their last five competitive games, including a dominant 7-0 victory in Sunday’s home encounter with Costa Adeje Tenerife.
Brann vs. Barcelona Head to head
This will be the first meeting between these two teams.
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20/03/2024BrannN/ABarcelonaN/AWomen's Champions League
Brann Team News
Brann are unable to call upon Rikke Nygard and Nanne Ruuskanen, who are both working on their rehabilitation from long-term injuries.
Goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen is likely to feature in goal, and she is expected to be shielded by the central defensive trio of Ingrid Stenevik, Marthine Ostenstad and Joanna Tynnila.
Brann's Last 5 Matches
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21/12/2023Brann2Olympique Lyonnais2Women's Champions League
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25/01/2024Slavia Praha0Brann1Women's Champions League
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31/01/2024Brann2St Polten1Women's Champions League
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01/03/2024Granada1Brann1Club Friendlies Women
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16/03/2024Lillestrom4Brann2Toppserien
Barcelona Team News
After rotating his squad at the weekend, Giraldez is set to bring in Lucy Bronze, Ingrid Engen, Ona Batlle, Patri Guijarro and Aitana Bonmati.
Salma Paralluelo and Mariona Caldentey are also expected to return to the side to feature in a front three alongside Norway international Caroline Graham Hansen.
Barcelona's Last 5 Matches
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18/02/2024Barcelona2Atletico Madrid0Primera Division Femenina
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07/03/2024Athletic Club0Barcelona3Copa de la Reina
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10/03/2024Real Sociedad1Barcelona7Primera Division Femenina
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14/03/2024Barcelona2Athletic Club1Copa de la Reina
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17/03/2024Barcelona7UD Tenerife0Primera Division Femenina
Brann vs. Barcelona: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
1X2: 2
Best Odds
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