Brighton face tough Tromso test in Arctic Conference League play-off | OneFootball

Brighton open their 2026-27 season with a trip to the Arctic Circle, visiting Tromso IL in the Conference League play-off first leg. According to WeAreBrighton.com, it is a uniquely testing assignment at the northernmost top-flight stadium on the planet.

Romssa Arena sits in the heart of Tromso, capacity 6,691, with a little over 400 Brighton fans expected. The players will refund those away tickets, as Lewis Dunk announced 24 hours before kick-off.

Tromso are formidable at home and are mid-season, so sharpness could favour them. Jorgen Vik’s side are attack-minded, scoring 41 in 19 this term, and sit third after 17 league games behind Bodo/Glimt and Viking.

They also thrashed CFR Cluj 5-0 away in the last round. New signing Isak Dahlqvist hit a hat-trick, and 20-year-old Alexander Warneryd has five goals and three assists in 14, a threat down Brighton’s right.

Brighton arrive after five wins from five in pre-season, beating Wycombe Wanderers, Strasbourg, Kuwait SC, Roma and Bologna, and scoring 19. The squad should strengthen as Kaoru Mitoma and Stefanos Tzimas return from injury.

Tromso are without goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard and right back Leo Cornic, both thigh injuries, plus midfielder Vetle Skjaervik with a groin issue. For Brighton, Yankuba Minteh faces around three months out with an ankle problem, Mitoma is rehabbing hamstring surgery, and Tzimas is easing back after an ACL.

Any positive result would tee up next Thursday’s second leg at the Amex.

Andrew’s prediction is Tromso IL 1-2 Brighton.

Source: WeAreBrighton.com

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