Football Bet of the Day: Barca to end resilient Brann’s Euro dream

Barcelona Women will look to secure their place in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals when they host Brann Women at the Estadi Johan Cruyff on Thursday (17:45 KO).

These sides played out a tense first leg in Bergen with Barcelona edging the game 2-1 on Norway’s west coast.

However, with the amount of quality at their disposal, Barca should have too much for the Norwegians on home soil, even if Brann can have their moments in Catalonia.

Barca take a slender advantage into Thursday's game after that 2-1 victory at Asane Arena on March 20th.

Norway international Caroline Graham Hansen was the one to open the scoring for Barca in just the ninth minute of the contest, before Cecilie Redisch Kvamme levelled the scores in the 39th minute.

A well-organised Brann outfit proved to be a tough nut to crack on their own patch and it was not until the 72nd minute when Salma Paralluelo struck that Barca regained the lead.

Unable to add to their score, Barca have a one-goal advantage and will be wary of what Brann can offer when they meet for the second leg in the much warmer climate of Catalonia.

That goal from former West Ham defender Kvamme will give the visitors confidence they can cause Barca problems at the Estadi Johan Cruyff this week.

Barca have now conceded five goals in their last two games in the Champions League, following a 4-4 in their previous game against Benfica.

However, the Catalan giants are yet to lose a competitive game this season and are currently on a seven-game winning run in all competitions going into Thursday’s second leg.

Graham Hansen will be a player to look out for in the goalscorer markets, with the 29-year-old impressing in the first leg.

The former Stabaek and Wolfsburg winger has been the standout player for Barca in the Primera Division Femenina this season, scoring 17 goals and providing 16 assists in her 19 appearances.

With five goals and five assists in six appearances in the Champions League this season, Graham Hansen has been able to transfer her domestic form to the European stage.

However, the Football Bet of the Day for Thursday sides with a Barcelona win and both teams to score. Brann showed in the first leg they can cause Barca problems, especially at set-pieces.

With the Catalans showing some defensive frailties in their last two Champions League games, Brann can get on the scoresheet. However, Barca’s quality across the park should see them come out on top convincingly and book their place in theChampions League semi-finals once again.

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