Bodo/Glimt vs Maccabi Tel Aviv prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-22 17:45.
[p]Reigning Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt progressed beyond all three of their UEFA group stage appearances at any level over the past three seasons, and are on track to do so again in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) after beating Beşiktaş 2-1 in December. Recent history suggests they may struggle with the unique challenge that faces many Scandinavian clubs: playing continental football during their off-season. [/p]
[p]Bodø failed to win their first two competitive matches of both 2023 (D1, L1) and 2024 (D1, L1). On both occasions, they found themselves in the two-legged knockout play-offs of the Conference League and were bundled out by Lech Poznań and Ajax. They undertook a training camp in Spain earlier this month to regain match fitness, but in a worrying sign, lost both scratch matches to Sparta Prague (3-0) and Düsseldorf of the German second-tier (3-2).[/p]
[p]The fatigue from playing eight games in December (W6, D2) appeared to have caught up with Maccabi Tel Aviv, who have triumphed in just two of five games across all competitions this month (D2, L1). But the Yellows registered a statement victory at the weekend, piling on three first-half goals to get their domestic title tilt back on track.[/p]
[p]Balancing that with their European commitments remains a challenge, with the visitors starting this matchday outside the top-24. Despite what that position may suggest, with the momentum from the weekend and consecutive UEL wins in tow – including a 3-1 triumph away at Beşiktaş – and the top-16 still within reach, it’s certainly too early to write off their UEL campaign. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Patrick Berg had a superb end to 2024, scoring or assisting in five of his last seven games in all competitions for club and country (G4, A1). Wessley Patati has directly contributed to 11 goals across his last 13 appearances (G7, A4), including in their only away win of this league phase. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Five of Maccabi’s last seven UEFA games saw both teams score. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]