SK Brann v St Mirren: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The first leg of St Mirren's Conference League qualifying third-round clash with Brann took place last week and the Buddies will be happy with the result.

The Saints were dominated by their Norwegian visitors yet held on to draw 1-1 in Paisley thanks to Toyosi Olusanya’s 90th-minute equaliser.

However, a repeat of their performance from last week would spell trouble for the Scottish club in Bergen on Thursday, where Brann have been extremely strong in recent months, so a place in the Conference League play-off round may prove to be a step too far for the Buddies.

SK Brann v St Mirren betting tips and predictions

SK Brann to win and both teams to score @ 2/1

The hosts certainly left St Mirren Park as the happier of the two sides last week, but Brann will not be fearing their place in the Conference League play-off round too much given their exceptional record at home over recent months and their dominance in Paisley.

Bergens slothet have won 11 of their last 15 home matches, impressively beating runaway Eliteserien leader Bodo/Glimt 4-2 early on in that run, while they racked up nine shots on target in the first leg.

Their overall form is solid too, having lost just two of their last 15 matches, and their victory over Go Ahead Eagles in the previous round holds far more weight than St Mirren’s success against Icelandic minnows Valur.

The Saints have struggled on their travels of late too, winning only one of their last nine away games in a run which includes five losses and a poor performance in a 0-0 draw with Valur in the previous round of this competition.

All the signs point towards a St Mirren defeat on Thursday, although the Buddies may have just enough to get on the scoresheet at the Bergen Stadion.

They made the most of limited opportunities in the first leg by netting despite having just four shots and they also managed to net against a strong Aberdeen side over the weekend.

Brann may be in good form, but clean sheets have not been easy to come by for Eirik Horneland’s men as both teams to score has been a winning bet in their last four matches, with key defender Svenn Crone’s continued absence the main reason for that vulnerability at the back.

Given St Mirren have proven they do not need too many chances to score and that Brann have netted alongside their opponents in six of their previous seven Conference League matches, it could pay to back the Buddies to net in defeat on Thursday.

Bard Finne to score anytime @ 11/10

Brann were wasteful in Paisley last week, but their talented attackers may be more ruthless when backed by a home crowd this time around, with star striker Bard Finne a likely candidate to find the net on Thursday.

The Norwegian forward has endured a tough campaign by his standards, scoring just four goals after 16 league games following back-to-back hauls of 16 in 29 Eliteserien matches in the previous two seasons.

However, his ability to come up with goals in big games should not be underestimated and he could punish a Buddies defence which looked vulnerable both in the first leg and when shipping three against the Dons on Sunday.

He is a man for the big occasion and looks a worthy selection to find the net at the Bergen Stadion on Thursday.

Alexander Gogic to be carded @ 11/8

St Mirren received six yellow cards - seven if you include manager Stephen Robinson’s booking - in last week’s first leg, so backing Thursday’s referee to be just as busy could provide an avenue to profit.

First-leg goalscorer Felix Myhre ran the show in midfield for Brann at the St Mirren Stadium and the Buddies will have to limit his influence if they are to have any chance of progressing into the play-off round.

Combative midfielder Alexander Gogic may be tasked with keeping tabs on Mhyre and may fall foul of the referee as a result.

The Cypriot midfielder was booked in the first leg while he was also cautioned seven times in the Scottish Premiership last term, suggesting that he is a prime candidate for a yellow at the Bergen Stadion.

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SK Brann v St Mirren odds

SK Brann - 1/4
Draw - 17/4
St Mirren - 10/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.