Bodø/Glimt vs Nijmegen – News and Probable Lineups

Having secured a two-goal advantage from the first leg, Bodo/Glimt will look to finalize their Champions League playoff tie this Tuesday, hosting NEC at the well-known Aspmyra Stadion.

Both teams had no match over the weekend, ensuring they are well-rested for the return fixture in Bodo, where the home team has previously taken down several strong opponents.

Match overview

Bodo/Glimt is on the verge of achieving back-to-back Champions League qualifications after establishing a strong position in the final round of this season’s league phase.

In contention for one of seven places in UEFA’s premier tournament, the Norwegian team achieved a 3-1 win in Nijmegen last Wednesday, with contributions from Sondre Fet, Andreas Helmersen, and Haitam Aleesami.

Bodo entered their playoff tie as strong favorites, having reached the knockout rounds of European competitions over the past five seasons, most notably advancing to the Champions League round of 16 last year after defeating Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and Inter de Milão.

Following an impressive debut in the league phase, Kjetil Knutsen’s squad kicked off this year’s qualification process with a thrilling 6-5 aggregate win against Union Saint-Gilloise, which was sealed by Helmersen’s vital extra-time goal to avoid penalties.

After losing their title as domestic champions by finishing just one point behind Viking in Noruega’s Eliteserien last season, Glimt is currently deeply engaged in another title battle, having won six consecutive league matches since the summer hiatus.

Additionally, they netted nine goals across three legs in Europe while scoring 15 during that stretch, signaling that Knutsen’s men may pose a significant threat this Tuesday.

While the odds may still be against them, NEC could find some hope from Clement Bischoff’s late goal in the opening fixture as they prepare for their journey to the Arctic Circle.

A year ago, it was unexpected for the Dutch team to even be fighting for Champions League qualification, marking their first campaign at the top level of European football.

This also represents just their fifth participation in any UEFA tournament, and after a significant gap of 17 years since their last involvement, they sit just one step away from reaching the league phase.

NEC’s unexpected third-place finish in the Eredivisie last season granted them a spot in the third qualifying round, where Dick Schreuder’s squad managed to advance after a goalless draw in Grécia followed by a 2-1 victory over Olympiacos at home.

Importantly, this secured them a place in continental competition for the next season, as even if they fail to reverse the deficit against Bodo, participating in the Europa League would still be a notable consolation.

With one win and one defeat thus far, their league fixture this week has been postponed to enhance NEC’s chances of an unlikely comeback, ensuring they approach Norway with little to lose.

Team News

Bodo/Glimt was without Jostein Gundersen (thigh) and Hakon Evjen (knee) last week, and the latter is unlikely to return from injury until next month.

Aleesami is likely to continue filling in for Gundersen in central defense, while captain Patrick Berg will again lead the midfield for the hosts.

In the attacking department, Helmersen has emerged as a key player since last season’s top scorer Kasper Hogh departed for Celtic, notching six league goals, along with the decisive strike against Union SG and another crucial goal in Nijmegen.

Completing Glimt’s front line will be any two from Ola Brynhildsen, Ole Blomberg, and former AC Milan winger Jens Petter Hauge.

On NEC’s side, veteran forward Bryan Linssen is set to spearhead their attack, having participated in 12 matches and netted three goals when Feyenoord made it to the Conference League final in 2022.

Kaj Sierhuis had limited involvement last Wednesday, but he will seek to start after scoring in both of his Eredivisie outings and assisting Emre Mor’s goal against Olympiacos.

Nonetheless, Ajax academy graduate Dusan Tadic, who has consistently delivered double-digit assist seasons, and 38-year-old captain Tjaronn Chery likely will not give up their spots easily.

Both Koki Ogawa and Sami Ouaissa are uncertainties due to injury, possibly joining center-backs Philippe Sandler and Perr Schuurs on the injury list.

Bodo/Glimt probable starting XI:

Hiking; Sjovold, Bjortuft, Aleesami, Bjorkan; Auckland, Berg, Fet; Blomberg, Helmersen, Hauge

NEC probable starting XI:

Crettaz; Pereira, Storm, Fonville; Monteiro, Nejasmic, Lebreton, Bischoff; Chery, Tadic; Linssen

Reflecting on last season’s extraordinary starts in the league phase, Bodo has claimed victory in seven of their previous nine European matches, also scoring two or more goals in 10 of the last 11 fixtures, illustrating their capacity to conclude this playoff successfully.

NEC faces a daunting task ahead, and maintaining pressure during the match at Aspmyra Stadion may lead them to defeat; they are expected to seek solace in a place within the Europa League.