Kauno Žalgiris vs Brann - UEFA Europa Conference League

A fascinating UEFA Europa Conference League chapter awaits on October 22, 2026 when Kauno Žalgiris take on Brann at the home ground — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. Enzo Maresca and Rico Lewis held a pre-match press conference on Saturday as Manchester City prepare to face Atletico Madrid in their third pre-season friendly of the summer.

A glance at the UEFA Europa Conference League table tells the story: Kauno Žalgiris in 32nd and Brann in 21st, with positions to defend and places to climb. The hosts have found wins hard to come by, WLWLL across their last five telling the story of a win rate of 0%. Brann are in the midst of a slump, LLWWL over their last five and a paltry win rate of 0% summing up their struggles. Goals could be in short supply or plentiful — Kauno Žalgiris average 0 per game to Brann's 0, and that gap may dictate the rhythm of the contest. Aston Villa have had a mixed start to the season but they can claim a valuable three points against Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Stylistically, this is a compelling matchup. Kauno Žalgiris favour a patient, possession-based approach, whereas Brann are at their most dangerous when allowed to hit quickly on the counter. By Monday morning, there had been three million views of a video showing Spurs passing through the Man Utd press and breaking up the pitch with ease.

The fixture features no shortage of talent, and the league's top marksman K. Behrens — 6 goals this term — will be one to watch. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. His future profile for sure will be not a number nine striker alone.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. Brann look well-equipped to take the points on the road, with a 1-2 victory well within their reach. With positions in the UEFA Europa Conference League table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. Manchester City will begin another Premier League season with major uncertainty hanging over the club after league chief executive Richard Masters admitted the long-awaited verdict on their financial case has taken longer than expected.