Verdict: Bodo/Glimt win
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
Two sides who turn their attention back to Champions League qualifying duties in midweek, Linfield will welcome Bodo/Glimt to Windsor Park on Tuesday night.
Linfield
Starting with the hosts, just about managing to extend on their European qualyfying adventure earlier in the month after they edged their way past Welsh outfit The New Saints, Linfield will know that they face another tough test here. Managing to pick up a morale boost last weekend as they stormed their way to an 8-1 romp against H&W Welders in a friendly showdown on the road, Head Coach David Healy will be calling on his side to make sure they’re not blown out of sight following Tuesday’s first-leg meeting. Although the Northern Irish champions might have stormed their way to yet another domestic crown last season, they did somewhat limp their way over the finish line. Signing off the 2022 campaign by mustering just a pair of wins from their final five NIFL Premiership victories, it should also be noted that Healy’s men have lost three of their last four Champions League showdowns at Windsor Park.
Team News
Limping off against The New Saints earlier in the month, Linfield will be without Joel Cooper on Tuesday night.
The duo of Matthew Clarke and Chris Shields are one booking away from missing the second-leg.
Bodo/Glimt
As for the visitors, also managing to extend on their qualifying adventure earlier in the month after a remarkable 4-3 aggregate victory against Faroe Islands-based side KÍ, Bodo/Glimt are in a similar spot to Tuesday’s opponents. Just about dragging themselves over the finish line after a 3-1 second-leg defeat on foreign soil on July 13th, Head Coach Kjetil Knutsen finds his side still sat outside the European spots in Norway’s top-flight. Reall bursting onto the scene last year as they claimed a famous 6-1 romp against Jose Mourinho’s Roma while on Conference League duties, there is no doubt that Bodo/Glimt will be demanding a similar display on Tuesday night. However, while the Yellows might open their midweek trip to Windsor Park tipped as a standout pick with the bookmakers, they do hold a downbeat Champions League record while on their travels. Including that 3-1 drumming at the hands of KÍ, Knutsen’s men have lost back-to-back away fixtures by an aggregate score of 5-1.
Team News
Still dealing with a shoulder issue, Ola Solbakken is seen as a major doubt when Bodo/Glimt travel to Windsor Park on Tuesday night.
However, bagging six goals in just his last four appearances, 23-year-old Victor Boniface should spearhead Knutsen’s charge here.
Key Factors to Consider
- Tuesday’s meeting at Windsor Park is the first meeting between Linfield and Bodo/Glimt.
- 17 of Bodo/Glimt’s last 18 away fixtures across all formats have seen over 1.5 goals by the final whistle.
- 23-year-old Victor Boniface has scored six goals in just his last four appearances.
- Linfield have managed to win just a pair of their last six home fixtures across all formats.
- Likewise, Tuesday’s hosts have lost three of their last four Champions League qualifying contests at Windsor Park.
Conclusion
While Bodo/Glimt might have only just managed to scrape their way past KÍ earlier in the month, Tuesday’s guests are rightfully tipped as a standout pick with the bookmakers. Laying down what was the most stunning of markers back in October as they breezed their way to that famous 6-1 romp against Italian heavyweight Roma, the Norweigan outfit will be desperate to grab a much-needed first-leg advantage here. With Linfield losing three of their last four Champions League qualifying showdowns at Windsor Park. we’re backing an away victory here.
Verdict: Bodo/Glimt win
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
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