STVV
STVV enter their meeting with Brann under interim coach Sepp De Roover after dismissing Frédéric De Meyer on 2 November. Five consecutive domestic defeats prompted the change, even though the Belgian side have won both Conference League matches so far, including a 1-0 victory away to Midtjylland. The immediate question is whether De Roover keeps the shape that has worked in Europe.
Nathanaël Mbuku scored against OH Leuven, but STVV still lost 2-1. Frédéric Soèllé Soèllé, who led the line in that match and scored the winner at Midtjylland, has a strong case to start again. Samed Baždar offers another option up front, with Ilias Sebaoui and Ryan Merlen providing support behind the striker. The right-back spot is less straightforward. Taiga Hata started the most recent league game, while Robert-Jan Vanwesemael featured in the last European starting side but was absent from the latest domestic squad. Hata is the more cautious pick pending an availability update.
Brann
Brann head to Belgium after a 3-2 win over Molde, with Jonas Torsvik, Noah Holm and Kristall Máni Ingason on the scoresheet. Their previous Conference League away game also brought a strong result: a 4-1 victory over Kauno Žalgiris. Eirik Horneland has attacking momentum but several defensive and midfield availability issues to resolve.
Simen Vidtun Nilsen has recently deputised in goal, while the club reported that Jacob Lungi Sørensen, Mathias Dyngeland, Sondre Tronstad, Nana Boakye, Kjartan Kjartansson and Sakarias Opsahl missed the Molde fixture through injury. Vetle Dragsnes has previously been used as a centre-back and could offer cover alongside Fredrik Pallesen Knudsen. Up front, Holm, Castro and Ingason provide a plausible combination. Neraysho Kasanwirjo started against Molde but was sent off in the European game against Lincoln Red Imps and subsequently missed Kauno. The precise length of his UEFA suspension still requires confirmation before he can safely be included in a predicted starting eleven.
