Bodo/Glimt vs Besiktas prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 20:00.
[p]Bodø/Glimt may be feeling disappointed with their UEFA Europa League (UEL) league phase position, after they secured seven points in their first three matches of the competition only to then lose back-to-back games. The Norwegian outfit therefore find themselves in 17th place heading into the final three rounds, but know that a strong finish will earn them automatic last-16 qualification if they end up in the top eight. [/p]
[p]The Super Team will have the Aspmyra Stadion faithful cheering them on after treating them to a 5-2 triumph over Lillestrøm SK at the weekend which wrapped up the domestic league title, bringing to an end a three-game home winless run (D1, L2). Prior to those four matches, Kjetil Knutsen’s men had enjoyed a sequence of ten straight victories on their own patch, and they’ll be keen to kickstart an even better streak here against Beşiktaş, a team they beat twice in the UEFA Conference League group stage last season. [/p]
[p]Beşiktaş trail Glimt by just one point in the standings after their shock matchday-five loss at home to Maccabi Tel Aviv left them in a precarious 22nd place prior to Thursday. They enter this fixture as sizeable underdogs, and bookies didn’t fancy them at the weekend either when coming up against Fenerbahçe in a fierce local derby, but they upset the odds to earn a 1-0 victory. [/p]
[p]Given the Black Eagles’ overall record of five wins, five losses and two draws against Norwegian clubs, there’s no telling which way this game will go. Beşiktaş did surprise Lyon (W 1-0) on their last away European assignment, which should give them confidence that they can register back-to-back UEL victories on the road for the first time since the 2011/12 season. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Philip Zinckernagel was on target in Bodø/Glimt’s last UEL game away to Manchester United, and he’ll be a threat again here, as six of his eight goals before that were scored at home. Similarly, Rafa Silva is Beşiktaş’ last UEL goalscorer, and he would love to help right the wrongs of that 3-1 loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv, which ended his run of five wins when finding the net for the Turkish outfit. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Bodø/Glimt have scored at least once in the first half in six of their last seven matches. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]