Brann faced Scottish opposition for the very first time last season, overcoming St Mirren 4-2 on aggregate in a Conference League qualifier.
Rangers have won there of their four previous meetings with Norwegian clubs, beating Lillestrøm home and away in 1979, before a 0-0 draw and a 2-0 victory against Molde in 2006, thereby yet to concede a goal.
Brann vs Rangers preview
It is the start of yet another new era for Rangers, hoping a change of manager will result in an instantaneous change in results. On Monday, after talks with Steven Gerrard and Kevin Muscat fell through, Danny Röhl was unveiled as the new Rangers head coach. The 36 year old has previously been an assistant at RB Leipzig, Southampton, Bayern Munich and then German national team, before overseeing 89 games in charge of EFL Championship crisis club Sheffield Wednesday.
Well, considering he is well-versed when it comes to dealing with a complete mess, perhaps he is the ideal candidate for the job. On Saturday, despite leading through Thelo Aasgaard, the Light Blues required a late equaliser from James Tavernier to salvage a 2-2 draw against Dundee United at Ibrox. This means the Gers have still won only one of eight Premiership matches to date, leaving them down in sixth place, 13 points adrift run-away league-leaders Hearts.
Meantime, the Europa League has provided Rangers supporters with plenty of memorable moments in recent times, but 800 of them will travel to Bergen having witnessed five successive European defeats. To commence the league phase, Martin's team were beaten 1-0 by Genk at Ibrox; Mohamed Diomandé sent off, before former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winner. A week later, they were easily swatted aside 2-1 by Sturm Graz at Liebenauer Stadium, with Djeidi Gassama's goal right after half time unable to spark a full-scale revival. Their remaining fixtures are Roma (H), Braga (H), Ferencváros (A), Ludogorets Razgrad (H) and Porto (A) so, if Rangers are to avoid an ignominious early exit, having finished eighth in last year's league phase, they need to pick up points and fast.
In contrast, after enjoying wins over BK Häcken and AEK Larnaca in summer qualifiers, Brann are competing in just a second UEFA group stage, 18 years on from their debut. Their only Eliteserien title in 62 years came in 2007, currently third, seven points adrift leaders Viking, with only six matches remaining of this campaign. In Europe too, Freyr Alexandersson's team boast very little expirence, especially when compared to their visitors, but have made a better start to the league phase.
On matchday one, they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Lille at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, with former Rangers striker Hamza Igamane breaking the deadlock in Northern France. A week later, they did claim three famous points, beating Utrecht at home, with Sævar Atli Magnússon the night's only scorer in Western Norway. This means, since the start of last season, Brann have won five of seven European games in Bergen, so can they become the latest team to beat beleaguered Rangers?
Brann vs Rangers head-to-head record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Brann team news
Freyr Alexandersson's side smashed Haugesund 4-1 on Saturday, thereby not likely to change much.
However, in two major blows, Sævar Atli Magnússon, who has scored in both Europa League fixtures to date, suffered a knee injury during Iceland's World Cup qualifier against France at Laugardalsvöllur on Monday. Meantime, midfielder Felix Horn Myhre is also out due to an ankle knock sustained in training.
Brann predicted lineup vs Rangers: (4-3-3): Dyngeland; De Roeve, Helland, Knudsen, Dragsnes; Sørensen, Kornvig, Guðmundsson; Mathisen, Castro, Finne.
Brann player to watch vs Rangers
Given the absentees, Bård Finne could be Brann's main goal threat. His double at the weekend takes his tally to six Eliteserien goals in 2025, as well as 90 for the club overall.
Rangers team news
Given that new manager Danny Röhl will have had very limited preparation time, it'll be interesting to see what changes he makes to the lineup deployed by interim boss Steven Smith on Saturday.
Mohamed Diomandé can return, having served his suspension in Graz, but is now an injury doubt. Thus, Joe Rothwell deputised at the base of midfield against Dundee United, but Connor Barron and Lyall Cameron are decent alternative options. Bojan Miovski is expected to once again lead the line, chosen over new £10 million striker Youssef Chermiti.
Rangers predicted lineup vs Brann: (4-3-3): Butland; Tavernier, Cornelius, Souttar, Aarons; Raskin, Barron, Aasgaard; Antman, Gassama, Miovski.
Rangers player to watch vs Brann
All five of Djeidi Gassama's goals for Rangers have come in Europe, on target against Panathinaikos, Viktoria Plzeň and now Sturm Graz. The Frenchman played for Röhl at Hillsborough, so is certainly likely to remain a key figure.
Brann vs Rangers prediction
With Danny Röhl taking charge for the first time, it is impossible to know what to expect from Rangers, but we are backing them to get off the mark in the Europa League in Bergen: Brann 1-1 Rangers.
Brann vs Rangers FAQs - UEFA Europa League
How to watch Brann vs Rangers in the Europa League on TV channel?
Brann vs Rangers in the Europa League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 2
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Brann vs Rangers in the Europa League on live streaming?
Brann vs Rangers in the Europa League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Brann vs Rangers in the Europa League?
Brann vs Rangers takes place on Thursday 23 October 2025, with kick off at 17:45 (BST), 12:45 (EDT) & 9:45 (PDT).