Bodo/Glimt will be looking to overtunr a 1-0 deficit when they play host to Linfield at the Aspmyra Stadion for the second leg of their Champions League second-round qualifying tie on Wednesday.
Bodo/Glimt have not enjoyed away days in Europe so far, as they very nearly let a 3-0 lead slip in their first-round qualifying encounter with KI before managing to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
They have not managed to quickly find the formula for success on unfamiliar ground, as Kirk Miller scored with 83 minutes on the clock in last week’s first leg to hand Linfield an unexpected narrow advantage ahead of Wednesday’s second leg.
The Norwegian champions went out with a point to prove on Saturday in Eliteserien action against Jerv and defeated them 5-0.
By reaching the second round of the Champions League qualifying, Bodo/Glimt have already achieved their best-ever finish in the continent’s premier competition, and their home form reads well for head coach Kjetil Knutsen.
Meanwhile, an impressive run of form has come the way of Linfield over the summer, as they have been going through friendlies and Champions League encounters with composure since the beginning of the month.
David Healy’s side needed extra time to see off New Saints 2-1 on aggregate in the first round of Champions League qualifying, but they could now reach the third round of qualifying for the first time in their history.
The Northern Irish outfit have never progressed beyond the second round of Champions League qualifying, and they made the first round proper in the 1993-94 competition before being eliminated by Copenhagen.
Linfield picked up their fifth win in a row across all competitions on Saturday, beating Loughgall 2-0 in a friendly, but out of their 18 away matches in Champions League qualifying, only three have ended in victory.
Bodo/Glimt vs Linfield head to head
The two teams have previously met on just one occasion in the first leg of their Champions League second-round qualifying tie, where Linfield claimed a 1-0 home victory. They meet for the second leg of the same competition.
Linfield 1-0 Bodo/Glimt 19/07/22
Bodo/Glimt latest home form
Bodo/Glimt have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have won each of their four most recent matches. They managed to defeat Jerv 5-0 in their last home game in the Eliteserien. In their last five matches, they have scored 16 goals and conceded just three.
Bodo/Glimt 2-2 Stromsgodset 25/05/22
Bodo/Glimt 2-0 Aalesund 26/06/22
Bodo/Glimt 3-0 KI 06/07/222
Bodo/Glimt 4-1 Sarpsborg 08 09/07/22
Bodo/Glimt 5-0 Jerv 23/07/22
Bodo/Glimt latest away form
Bodo/Glimt have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their five most recent matches. They lost 1-0 to Linfield in their last away game in the Champions League. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded seven.
Valerenga 0-1 Bodo/Glimt 29/06/22
Odd 3-2 Bodo/Glimt 02/07/22
KI 3-1 Bodo/Glimt 13/07/22
HamKam 0-2 Bodo/Glimt 16/07/22
Linfield 1-0 Bodo/Glimt 19/07/22
Linfield latest home form
Linfield have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Bodo/Glimt 1-0 in their last home game in the Champions League. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded two.
Linfield 2-0 Coleraine 30/04/22
Linfield 0-0 Newtown 25/06/22
Linfield 1-2 St Mirren 02/07/22
Linfield (E)2-0 The New Saints 13/07/22
Linfield 1-0 Bodo/Glimt 19/07/22
Linfield latest away form
Linfield have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having won each of their three most recent matches. They managed to defeat Loughgall 2-0 in their last away game in a friendly. In their last five matches, they have scored 14 goals and conceded just four.
Crusaders 1-2 Linfield 19/04/22
The New Saints 1-0 Linfield 05/07/22
Knockbreda 1-2 Linfield 09/07/22
H&W Welders 1-8 Linfield 16/07/22
Loughgall 0-2 Linfield 23/07/22
Bodo/Glimt news
Bodo/Glimt defender Brice Wembangomo only competed for the first 45 minutes for the 5-0 victory over Jerv on Saturday, but he should be fine to feature on Wednesday.
Attacker Ola Solbakken is still absent with a shoulder injury, so Sondre Sorli will expect to get the nod on the right-hand side this week.
Linfield news
Linfield have not reported any fresh concerns since the first leg. However, midfielder Cormac Austin has departed the club to join Premier League side Crystal Palace.
Head coach Healy is not likely to change the winning formular, but the visitors will cope without Joel Cooper due to a calf injury.
Prediction and Odds
Linfield were definitely underestimated in the first leg, but Bodo/Glimt went on for vengeance in league action at the weekend and will be out to make an expected turnaround.
The hosts have been excelling at home with plenty of goals in tow, a trend that we expect to continue in this game.
Odds: 1 1.87 X 2.00 2 2.20
Probable outcomes
Bodo/Glimt 2-0 Linfield
Bodo/Glimt 2-1 Linfield
Bodo/Glimt 3-0 Linfield
Bodo/Glimt 3-1 Linfield
Bodo/Glimt 4-2 Linfield
