Brighton & Hove Albion face Tromso in the second leg of a UEFA Conference League playoff on Thursday, August 27, at the American Express Stadium. The first leg in Norway ended in a 0-0 draw, leaving the aggregate score tied and requiring a win for Brighton to advance to the Conference League league phase.
How to watch the match live
The match kicks off at 7:30pm BST (6:30pm UTC) and is available worldwide outside Norway via SolidSport. Broadcasters include Paramount+ (USA), DAZN (Canada), TNT Sports and HBO Max (UK), and numerous regional partners including Claro, ESPN, and Sony. Viewers in the UK can watch on TNT Sports and HBO Max, while fans in the US can tune in to Paramount+.
Predicted starting lineups
Brighton's predicted starting XI includes Verbruggen, Costinha, Vuskovic, Boscagli, De Cuyper, Yalcouye, Ayari, Gomez, Hinshelwood, Osman, and Rutter. Tromso's predicted lineup features Haugaard, Dahlqvist, Vadebu, Skjaervik, Tonnessen, Warneryd, Edvardsson, Yttergard Jenssen, Olden Larsen, Nyhammer, and Heine Larsen. Brighton must win to advance, while Tromso could force extra time or penalties with a draw.
Brighton's current form and squad status
League standing: 2nd in Premier League, 3 pts, 1W-0D-0L from 1 games, recent form W. Goals this season: 4 scored, 0 conceded (+4 goal difference). Title race: 3 points behind leaders Manchester City. Next fixture: vs Chelsea (away, 2026-08-30) (7th in the table). Currently sidelined: Evan Ferguson, Jack Hinshelwood, Kaoru Mitoma, Stefanos Tzimas, Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter.
What this means for the upcoming season
The match outcome will determine Brighton's path to the Conference League league phase, which offers significant financial and competitive advantages. With the aggregate score tied at 0-0, a win is essential for Brighton to progress, while Tromso could force extra time or penalties with a draw. The result will also impact Brighton's momentum heading into their next fixture against Chelsea on August 30, 2026.
Where the squad fits in the current season
Brighton's squad is currently dealing with multiple absences, including key players like Jack Hinshelwood and Kaoru Mitoma, who are sidelined. The team's recent form has been strong, with a win in their opening game, and they are positioned 2nd in the Premier League table, just 3 points behind Manchester City. The Conference League playoff represents a crucial opportunity to build on this momentum and secure a place in Europe's newest club competition.
