RB Salzburg welcome Belgian giants Club Brugge to the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, with both sides aiming to take a vital step toward the league phase of Europe’s elite competition.
The Austrian side enters this clash in competitive form after easing past Brann in the previous round, while Club Brugge are just beginning their Champions League journey this season. The stakes are high, with the winners set to face either Rangers or Viktoria Plzen in the final qualifying round.
Match Preview: Salzburg vs Brugge
This tie promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the third qualifying round. Both teams finished second in their respective leagues last season—Salzburg behind Sturm Graz, and Brugge behind Union Saint-Gilloise—making this a clash of clubs looking to reclaim their domestic dominance and European pedigree.
RB Salzburg cruised through the second qualifying round with a 5-2 aggregate win over Norwegian side Brann, thanks in part to a dominant 4-1 away victory. However, their domestic campaign has started sluggishly, drawing 2-2 with Reid last weekend, needing a 96th-minute equaliser from Yorbe Vertessen to rescue a point.
Club Brugge, meanwhile, had an up-and-down start to their Belgian Pro League campaign. After winning the Super Cup against Union SG and opening the season with a comeback win over Genk, they surprisingly fell to a 2-1 defeat against Mechelen last Friday.
The last time these two sides met was in the 2018-19 Europa League, where Salzburg knocked out Brugge 5-2 on aggregate. A repeat result would be a dream start for the Austrians.
Team News
RB Salzburg are missing several key players due to injury, including Karim Konate, Moussa Yeo, Takumu Kawamura, and Justin Omoregie. Promising youngster Oscar Gloukh has departed for Ajax, but the arrival of 17-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic from Bayer Leverkusen has already provided a glimpse of new attacking flair.
Aleksa Terzic returns from suspension and will likely slot into defense.
Club Brugge are without Gustaf Nilsson and Kyrian Sabbe, while young star Ardon Jashari, linked with a move away, has yet to feature this season. However, Joel Ordonez returns from suspension to bolster the backline.
Key Players to Watch
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Yorbe Vertessen (Salzburg) – Clutch goal scorer with explosive pace.
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Romeo Vermant (Brugge) – Leads the line and is tipped to be first goal scorer.
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Christos Tzolis (Brugge) – A direct winger with a keen eye for goal.
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Simon Mignolet (Brugge) – The experienced keeper brings stability at the back.
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Hans Vanaken (Brugge) – Midfield maestro and creative outlet for Brugge.
Probable Lineups
RB Salzburg XI:
Schlager; Lainer, Gadou, Rasmussen, Kratzig; Bidstrup, Diabate, Kjaergaard; Vertessen, Onisiwo, Baidoo
Club Brugge XI:
Mignolet; Spileers, Ordonez, Mechele, Seys; Onyedika, Reis, Vanaken; Forbs, Vermant, Tzolis
Betting Tips & Top Scorer Odds
Based on the latest odds from BetMGM, here are the top picks for the first goal scorer:
| Player | Anytime Scorer | First Scorer |
|---|---|---|
| Romeo Vermant | +210 | +625 |
| Christos Tzolis | +210 | +625 |
| Nicolo Tresoldi | +240 | +700 |
| Edmund Baidoo | +240 | +700 |
| Dorgeles Nene | +240 | +700 |
Expect an intense, high-pressing game with both sides favoring quick transitions and wide attacking play.
Match Details
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Fixture: RB Salzburg vs Club Brugge
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Competition: UEFA Champions League – Third Qualifying Round (First Leg)
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Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
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Kick-Off: 19:00 CEST
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Venue: Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
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Live Streaming: Available on club websites and local broadcasters
Prediction
This is a tightly matched tie on paper. Salzburg’s home advantage and UCL pedigree give them a slight edge, but Brugge’s counter-attacking strength and experienced core can’t be underestimated.