Brighton to host Kauno Žalgiris in opening UEFA Conference League group match on October 15

Brighton & Hove Albion will host Futbolo Klubas Kauno Žalgiris at the American Express Stadium in the opening group-stage match of the UEFA Conference League 2026-27 on October 15. The match will be Brighton’s first fixture in the competition while Kauno Žalgiris make their Conference League debut.

Brighton enter the tie under head coach Fabian Hürzeler after recent domestic wins, including a 3-0 victory over Arsenal and a 2-0 win against Sunderland, and they secured qualification for the competition by defeating Tromso in the qualifiers. Kauno Žalgiris arrive as A Lyga champions under Željko Sopić and will be the visiting side in the fixture at the American Express Stadium. The preview notes Brighton’s positive domestic form and Kauno’s need for a strong tactical approach to challenge the Premier League club.

Midfielders to watch for Brighton include Pascal Gross and Fabien Ourega. The 35-year-old Gross covered the most distance in the 2-0 win over Sunderland, recording 12.8km and providing a crucial assist, and the piece states he will look to produce another strong showing. The 33-year-old Ourega is identified as a player who can help control midfield and operate on the right wing with an eye on contributing to a positive result.

Availability and fitness are outlined for both teams. Evan Ferguson, Femi Azeez, Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Stefanos Tzimas, Mats Wieffer and Zadok Yohnna are listed as injured for Brighton, and Jack Hinshelwood "might also sit out due to a lack of fitness." The report states FK Kauno Žalgiris have all their players fit and ready to be in action.

A sequence of names presented as squad lists appears in the preview: Verbruggen (GK); Kadioglu, Vuskovic, Struijk, Boscagli; Gross, Andres; Gomez, Ayari, De Cuyper; Kostoulas Mikelionis (GK); Moutachy, Lekiatas, Hernandez, Edokpolor; Karashima; Ourega, Fiolic, Kalik, Ribeiro; Debeljuh. These names were provided in the match preview as part of the anticipated personnel for the fixture.

The preview projects Brighton to have the advantage at home and forecasts a Brighton victory by a 3-1 scoreline, stating the Seagulls are likely to win and secure three points. It adds that FK Kauno Žalgiris will face a tough contest at the American Express Stadium.

The clash takes place at the American Express Stadium on October 15 and, in India, all matches can be viewed live on Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV.