Bodo/Glimt take on the visitors Sturm Graz in the first leg of UEFA Champions League Qualification final round. The match will be played on Wednesday, August 20th at Aspmyra Stadion (Bodø).
Bodø/Glimt host their first European home match of the season. Interestingly, the Norwegian champions are beginning directly from the Champions League play-off stage. Many football fans expect Bodø to finally secure a group stage spot – a reward for their strong performances in recent years. Last season, Bodø once again impressed neutrals, making a memorable run to the Europa League semi-finals before losing to Tottenham. This year, their campaign started shakier: an early Norwegian Cup exit and dropped points in the league. But the team has bounced back, reclaiming top spot domestically and winning six of their last seven matches – scoring an average of 2.7 goals per home game.
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Sturm Graz face tougher challenges. Sturm pulled off a sensational achievement last season by beating Red Bull Salzburg to the Austrian title. Yet despite that triumph, they still find themselves in qualification. Their away record remains a weakness – five away defeats last season – and early results in the Austrian Bundesliga have been mixed. A 2-0 away loss to Rapid Vienna exposed major midfield gaps. Although they won their latest game, it came just four days ago, leaving little recovery time. Squad-wise, Sturm have lost key players in the summer, bringing in Kayombo and Kucharczyk, but those are hardly standout reinforcements. To make matters worse, Borkovic, Khudyakov, and Kayombo are unavailable.
Bodø remain without Blumberg, Moe, Gundersen, Burakovsky, and Jørgensen, but the squad depth is strong. The form of striker Hauge, who has scored seven goals in his last six matches, makes them especially dangerous. Historically, the two clubs have never faced each other. But here the home advantage is huge – Bodø are in mid-season rhythm, while Sturm are still building momentum. The Norwegians’ perfect recent home record in Europe, combined with their superior match sharpness, makes them clear favorites. The hosts are in excellent form and scoring freely, while Sturm look weaker on the road and short on fitness.
Prediction for the match: Bodo/Glimt to win.
