The first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa Conference League qualification play-off between Strasbourg (France) and Brøndby (Denmark) will take place on August 21 at the Stade de la Meinau. Strasbourg vs. Brøndby: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Strasbourg
The French club enters the battle for a spot in the main draw of the Conference League at this stage of qualification. They earned the right to participate by finishing 7th in last season's Ligue 1. The last time Strasbourg played in European competitions was in the 2019/20 season when they failed to reach the Europa League group stage, being eliminated in the playoff round by Eintracht Frankfurt (1:0, 0:3). It's worth noting that the club has limited experience in European tournaments in the 21st century: the French side has twice played in the main stage of the UEFA Cup and will now participate in the qualification of a European tournament for the second time.
- Strasbourg's uncompromising run in European competitions consists of 6 matches (4 wins, 2 losses).
- At home, Strasbourg won their last 3 matches in the second-tier European competition, with the last 2 ending with a 1-0 scoreline.
- No more than 3 goals have been scored over 5 of the club's Europa League fixtures.
Predicted lineup for Strasbourg (5-3-2)
Mike Penders – Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Junior Mwanga, Lucas Hoysberg, Mamadou Sarr, Gemisonge Ouattara – Samir El-Mourabet, Felix Lemarechal, Valentin Barco – Joaquin Panichelli, Emanuel Emegha.
Brøndby
The Danish side began their campaign in this season's Conference League from the second qualifying round. On their way to the play-off matches, Brøndby overcame HB Tórshavn (1:1, 1:0) and Vikingur Reykjavik (0:3, 4:0). It's noteworthy that the team has reached the decisive round of Conference League qualification for the first time, having been eliminated in the third qualifying round in the 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons. Unlike their upcoming opponents, Brøndby boasts significantly more experience on the European stage. In the new millennium, the club has hardly missed a European season, although they often exited at the qualification stage.
- The team has not lost in 9 of their last 12 Conference League matches (5 wins, 4 draws).
- Brøndby has scored in 11 of their last 12 matches in the third-tier European competition.
- The club has never won an away match in the Conference League (4 draws, 2 losses).
Predicted lineup for Brøndby (3-4-3)
Patrick Pentz – Jordi Vanlerberghe, Rasmus Lauritsen, Luis Binks – Oliver Villadsen, Stijn Spierings, Benjamin Tahirovic, Mats Koehler – Noah Nartey, Philip Bundgaard, Clement Bischoff.
Referee
Genc Nuza (Kosovo)
Matches – 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 – 43%.
Match Prediction: Strasbourg vs. Brøndby
The French team, not accustomed to frequent European outings, will put in every effort to finally break into the main stage of a European competition. The last time the club achieved this was in the distant 2005/06 season in the UEFA Cup, where the Alsatians reached the round of 16. Strasbourg performed well in the previous French championship, where they were in contention for a Champions League spot until the end. Before the new season, the club has strengthened further, retaining all key players and bolstering the squad during the summer transfer window. Strasbourg started the new Ligue 1 season with a narrow yet confident away victory over Metz (1-0).
Brøndby competes in the Danish championship, which is considerably weaker compared to the French league. The current transfer market value of the visitors' squad is six times lower than that of Strasbourg. The team struggled even in the previous qualification stages of this Conference League edition, where their opponents were modest HB Tórshavn from the Faroe Islands and Icelandic Vikingur Reykjavik, to whom Brøndby lost 0-3 in an away match. As noted above, the Danes have never won an away match in the Conference League.
The Alsatians, on the other hand, have won all 3 of their home matches in the third-tier European competition. I am confident that the team will win this time as well. My prediction: Strasbourg to win.
