Bet for the match
Bodø/Glimt at home are a different proposition. In the previous edition of the UEFA Champions League, the Norwegians reached the Round of 16, beating Manchester City (3:1) and Inter (3:1) at the Aspmyra Stadion. Artificial turf, a small stadium and high pressing — the hosts start faster and attack more boldly here.
The team are also in form. Kjetil Knutsen remains in charge, with Patrick Berg and Jens Petter Hauge still there, but Kasper Høgh has already left for Celtic. On Saturday, Bodø/Glimt edged Vålerenga (2:1): it was their sixth straight league win, with a 15:1 goal difference over that run. Ulrik Saltnes has returned, while Håkon Evjen remains unavailable.
Union are no pushovers. The Belgians won the cup, collected 66 points from 30 matches in last season's regular campaign and lost only twice. In the first leg, Raul Florucz scored twice, while Promise David put the hosts ahead in the 88th minute. David Hubert has serious attacking options.
Their 5:1 win over Westerlo in the opening round only confirms that. However, their defence has yet to keep a clean sheet: they conceded against Club Brugge, three times against Bodø/Glimt and once more against Westerlo. Kjell Scherpen also left in the summer, with Vic Chambaere becoming the first-choice goalkeeper. It is not a disaster, but the defence is still being reshaped.
In Ostend, Bodø/Glimt took the lead twice, then fell behind but still rescued a 3:3 draw with Odin Bjørtuft's goal in the 90+1st minute. The Norwegians are unlikely to be more cautious at home. It is easier for them to press and raise the intensity, while Union cannot simply sit back either: a draw in normal time would send the tie into extra time. That scenario marginally favours the hosts.
We are backing Bodø/Glimt to win. Their current form, familiarity with the artificial surface and home tempo carry more weight here.