The first leg of the 2024/25 Europa League semi-final between Tottenham (England) and Bodo/Glimt (Norway) will take place on May 1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Tottenham vs. Bodo/Glimt: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Tottenham
The London club has reached the semi-finals of a European competition for the second time in the 21st century. Recall that in the 2018/19 season, the English team even reached the Champions League final. Ange Postecoglou's side has suffered just one defeat in their last eight Europa League matches (4 wins and 3 draws). The loss came in the first leg against AZ Alkmaar in the Round of 16 (0-1), but Tottenham convincingly turned the tie around in the return leg (3-1). In the previous stage of the tournament, the Londoners faced Eintracht Frankfurt and advanced thanks to an away victory in the second leg of the two-legged tie (1-1 and 1-0).
- The Londoners have a 13-match unbeaten run at home in this European competition (10 wins and 3 draws).
- Tottenham has kept a clean sheet in 8 of their last 11 home games in the Europa League.
- The English side has opened the scoring in 12 of their last 13 home games in this tournament.
Defender Radu Dragusin is still recovering from an injury. The participation of forward Son Heung-min is doubtful for the match.
Predicted lineup for Tottenham (4-3-3)
Guglielmo Vicario – Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven – Lucas Bergwijn, James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur – Mathys Tel, Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke.
Bodo/Glimt
For the first time in history, a Norwegian representative will play in the semi-finals of a European competition. Previously, Bodo/Glimt reached the quarter-finals once in the 2021/22 Europa Conference League. In this European season, Kjetil Knutsen's team has already passed three playoff stages, but only in the Europa League Round of 16 was everything decided within 180 minutes of play – they managed to overcome Olympiacos (3-0 and 1-2). In the knockout matches, extra time was needed to deal with Twente (1-2 and 3-2, extra time 2-0). In the previous round, Lazio was defeated thanks to better execution of penalty kicks: in the first match at home, the Scandinavians won 2-0, and in the return leg, the Romans won with the same score – 0-2, extra time 1-1, penalties 2-3.
- No more than three goals have been scored in regular time in 6 of Bodo/Glimt's last 7 Europa League matches.
- Both teams scored in 9 of Bodo/Glimt's last 12 games in this tournament.
- The Scandinavians have scored in regular time in their last six away games in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Bodo/Glimt (4-3-3)
Nikita Haikin – Fredrik Bjorkan, Fredrik Sjøvold, Jostein Gundersen, Odin Bjørtuft – Ulrik Saltnes, Patrick Berg, Hakon Evjen – Ole Blumberg, Kasper Heg, Jens Petter Hauge.
Due to suspension, midfielders Patrick Berg and Hakon Evjen, as well as forward Andreas Helmersen, will miss the match.
Referee
Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez (Spain)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 37;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.7;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 10%.
Tottenham vs. Bodo/Glimt: Match Prediction
The Londoners have drawn the lowest-ranked opponent among all clubs that have reached the semi-final stage. Scandinavian clubs rarely reach the later stages of European competitions, so reaching the Europa League's final four can already be called a sensation. The Norwegians have advanced this far thanks to excellent performances at home, where they have won their last five matches in this European competition. However, Bodo/Glimt faces challenges away from home – in this century, the club has played 13 away matches in the Europa League but managed just one victory.
The English side is well aware of how strong the Scandinavians are on their turf, so they will aim to achieve a favorable result in the first leg. Tottenham has not lost at their stadium in this European competition for nine years – 10 wins and 3 draws. Moreover, the Londoners have won by a margin of two or more goals in 9 of their last 12 home games in this tournament.
Tottenham has underperformed in the Premier League, focusing all their efforts on the European competition. Winning the Europa League would secure a spot in the main round of the Champions League. It is also worth noting that the Norwegian league is just getting underway, and Bodo/Glimt has only played four games so far. Therefore, my prediction is Tottenham with a handicap (-1.5).
