Bodo/Glimt (Nor) vs Jagiellonia (Pol) prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Qualification betting tips on match 2024-08-12 17:00.
[p]Bodø/Glimt have never reached the UEFA Champions League (UCL) main draw since the competition introduced a group/league phase, but that may be close to changing, as last week’s hard-fought 1-0 first-leg win at Jagiellonia Białystok means that Kjetil Knutsen’s men are now firm favourites in this tie, with the prize being a play-off meeting with Red Star Belgrade. [/p]
[p]Having started their domestic campaign in April, the Yellow Horde are well into their stride and on course to defend their Norwegian top-flight title which should further boost their confidence heading into this match. While they may also have the edge fitness-wise on Jagiellonia, who have only played six games so far this season, Bodø/Glimt are also a daunting team to face at Aspmyra Stadion, having lost just one of their last 11 outings there (W7, D3). [/p]
[p]Jagiellonia will remind themselves that before that first-leg defeat – which came courtesy of an own goal – they had won five from five to begin 2024/25, keeping three clean sheets in the process. The story of the Polish outfit is one of a remarkable recent rise, as they finished 14th in the Ekstraklasa in 2022/23 before sensationally winning the competition for the first time ever last term! [/p]
[p]Their relative lack of domestic success historically means that the club’s European experience is limited, but a typically courageous display north of the Arctic Circle could keep them on course for an inaugural appearance in the main draw of a continental competition. That’s something which cannot be discounted given the Polish side have scored seven times in their two competitive away fixtures to date this season (W2). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Since returning from injury, Kasper Høgh has recorded four goal contributions in five matches (G3, A1), including a goal and an assist to help Bodø/Glimt to a 7-1 aggregate thrashing of Latvians RFS in the last UCL qualifying round. Set to face him will be Jesús Imaz, who should feel refreshed as Jagiellonia were helpfully given the weekend off by the Polish footballing authorities. The Spaniard has started this campaign excellently with six goal involvements to his name (G4, A2), all but one of which came before half-time. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Bodø/Glimt haven’t led at the break in any of their last five encounters, but have still  gone on to win three of those games (D2). [/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]