Twente vs Bodo/Glimt prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-02-12 20:00.
[p]Sneaking into the UEFA Europa League (UEL) knockout play-offs by virtue of goal difference, Twente enter their first European knockout tie since reaching the last 16 of this competition in 2011/12. Qualifying at all was perhaps fortuitous for Joseph Oosting’s men, who won just two of their eight league phase games (D4, L2), whilst only winning at home at the fourth time of asking on matchday eight (D1, L2). [/p]
[p]That 1-0 success was a fourth in succession at home across all competitions, a run they may be quietly confident of extending if their strong record against Norwegian opponents is anything to go by (W4, D1, L1). Building on that here may prove difficult given Twente have won just once in eight UEL home matches (D4, L3), including defeats ‘to nil’ in two such games as pre-match favourites this term. [/p]
[p]Currently in their domestic off-season until late March, reigning Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt have their complete focus on this competition. Finishing 14 places above their hosts, Bodø only missed out on direct progression to the last 16 on goal difference, yet reaching a knockout tie in Europe’s second-tier competition marks their best-ever performance in this competition.[/p]
[p]With over 300 games at the helm, Bodø boss Kjetil Knutsen has famously overseen European victories over the likes of Celtic, Roma, and Dutch outfit AZ. In fact, the visitors have encountered Dutch opponents in each of their last three European campaigns – the first of those saw them beat AZ over two legs, although since then the Norwegian side have remained winless (D2, L2) and even had their European journey ended by Ajax last season. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Twente have winger Daan Rots to thank for their place in the knockout play-off after his late winner against Beşiktaş, which was his second match opening goal in Europe this season. Håkon Evjen has scored three times for Bodø this season in European action, two of which served as his team’s opener. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: All three of Twente’s home matches against Norwegian opposition saw a 1-0 half-time scoreline (W2, L1), with both wins ending 2-0. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]