Bodo/Glimt Vs FK Zalgiris Match Analysis And Prediction

Republished By Plato

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Bodo/Glimt abd FK Zalgiris continue their quest for a spot in the Champions League group stage on Wednesday, with both teams having swept through to the third qualifying round with huge aggregate victories.

The sides play out the first leg of their tie in the Norwegian champions’ Arctic Circle home, with the winners after next week’s return in Vilnius progressing to the playoff round, while the losers will slip into the Europa League.

Having survived a scare against KI Klaksvik to progress 4-3 on aggregate from the first qualifying round, Bodo/Glimt trailed 1-0 from the first leg of their tie with Linfield before last week’s decider in Norway.

Looking determined to reach the group stage the hard way, Kjetil Knutsen’s side had nearly thrown away a commanding lead against their Faroese opponents, and were in some trouble after losing at Windsor Park in the second round.

However, the Eliteserien championship brushed aside any concerns of elimination, as they drew level on aggregate after only seven minutes at Aspmyra Stadion before going on to score eight unanswered goals.

By reaching this stage of Champions League qualifying, Bodo have already achieved their best result in the competition, but Knutsen will be keen for them to take the second last step towards the promised land by defeating Zalgiris.

On the other hand, Zalgiris are top of their domestic league ahead of the trip north, despite being permitted to skip matches as their Champions League journey continues.

The Lithuanian A Lyga champions have enjoyed a fine run of form since the turn of the year, only losing two of their last 26 matches across all competitions.

Vladimir Cheburin’s side also boast a strong away record, having gone unbeaten throughout their last 16 matches away from home, with their most recent defeating coming back in September.

Bodo/Glimt vs FK Zalgiris head to head

The two teams have previously met on just three occasions in the Europa League and Europa Conference League, where Bodo/Glimt have claimed two victories while they have drawn once. Bodo/Glimt have scored six goals and conceded three in the process, having also won 1-0 at home in their last meeting.

Bodo/Glimt 3-1 Zalgiris 17/09/20

Zalgiris 2-2 Bodo/Glimt 19/08/21

Bodo/Glimt 1-0 Zalgiris 26/08/21

Bodo/Glimt latest home form

Bodo/Glimt have recently been on a good run of form at home, having won each of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Linfield 8-0 in their last home game in the Champions League. In their last five matches, they have scored 22 goals and conceded just one.

Bodo/Glimt 2-0 Aalesund 26/06/22

Bodo/Glimt 3-0 KI 06/07/22

Bodo/Glimt 4-1 Sarpsborg 08 09/07/22

Bodo/Glimt 5-0 Jerv 23/07/22

Bodo/Glimt 8-0 Linfield 27/07/22

Bodo/Glimt latest away form

Bodo/Glimt have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Aalesund 2-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded eight.

Odd 3-2 Bodo/Glimt 02/07/22

KI 3-1 Bodo/Glimt 13/07/22

HamKam 0-2 Bodo/Glimt 16/07/22

Linfield 1-0 Bodo/Glimt 19/07/22

Aalesund 1-2 Bodo/Glimt 30/07/22

FK Zalgiris latest home form

FK Zalgiris have recently been on a good run of form at home, having won each of their four most recent matches. They managed to defeat Malmo 1-0 in their last home game in the Champions League. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded four.

Zalgiris 1-2 Kauno Zalgiris 22/05/22

Zalgiris 2-1 Dziugas Telsiai 22/06/22

Zalgiris 2-1 Hegelmann Litauen 01/07/22

Zalgiris (E)1-0 Ballkani 12/07/22

Zalgiris 1-0 Malmo 19/07/22

FK Zalgiris latest away form

FK Zalgiris have recently been on a good run of form on the road, and have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They defeated Malmo 2-0 in their last away game in the Champions League. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded just one.

Neptuna Klaipeda 0-1 Zalgiris 18/05/22

Panevezys 0-2 Zalgiris 19/06/22

Suduva 0-5 Zalgiris 26/06/22

Ballkani 1-1 Zalgiris 05/07/22

Malmo 0-2 Zalgiris 27/07/22

Bodo/Glimt news

Bodo/Glimt will again rely on Victor Boniface to lead their front three this week, having scored a hat-trick in the first leg against KI alongside both goals against Aalesund.

With Ola Solbakken still absent with a shoulder injury, Sondre Sorli should start on the right wing, with Amahl Pellegrino also in the starting XI.

FK Zalgiris news

A back four of Petar Mamic, Nemanja Ljubisavljevic, Mario Pavelic and Joel Bopesu is set to remain intact for Zalgiris, though Saulius Mikoliunas offers another option on the right.

Renan Oliveira has scored eight league goals in 13 appearances since arriving in March, and is set to lead the line with Mathias Oyewusi.

Prediction and Odds

Bodo/Glimt have suffered setback on the road to the group stage so far, but they have performed impressive in recent matches and should prove tough opponents at home.

While FK Zalgiris are currently more consitent in terms of results, the hosts’ greater European experience should prove vital for a first-leg lead.

Odds: 1 2.10 X 2.00 2 2.22