Champions League Clash: Bodo/Glimt vs Red Star Belgrade - Preview & Predictions
Bodo/Glimt and Red Star Belgrade lock horns in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie on Tuesday, battling for a coveted place in the group stage. The Norwegian champions, having already overcome two qualifying rounds, will face a stern test against the Serbian giants, who arrive in the Arctic Circle with a rich European history.
Match Preview
Bodo/Glimt, a relative newcomer to the European stage, have transformed under manager Kjetil Knutsen, rising from the ranks of Norwegian outsiders to become a force to be reckoned with. Their recent exploits include victories against Celtic and Roma, and this year, they dispatched Latvian side RFS with a commanding 7-1 aggregate win.
Their playoff path saw them overcome Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok, securing a 1-0 victory in Poland and sealing the deal with a resounding 4-1 win at home. While the three-time Norwegian champions have never reached the Champions League group stage, they have previously competed in the Europa League and reached the playoff round in 2021.
Last season, they participated in the Europa Conference League, displaying their European prowess before succumbing to Ajax in the knockout round playoffs after topping a group featuring Lugano, Besiktas, and Club Brugge. Currently, they sit comfortably at the top of the Eliteserien, eight points clear, and are well-rested after securing their qualification before Tuesday's showdown.
Red Star Belgrade, a team steeped in European tradition, are the seeded side in this playoff tie and boast a more illustrious UEFA record. The 1991 European champions have previously graced the Champions League group stage in 2018, 2019, and last year, following several Europa League campaigns.
Their most recent Champions League experience saw them finish bottom of their group, picking up a single point against Young Boys, RB Leipzig, and Manchester City. However, they have since regained their domestic dominance, securing another Serbian Superliga title and now aiming for qualification.
Under manager Vladan Milojevic, Red Star have secured a seventh consecutive league title and a cup victory over Vojvodina, demonstrating their consistent strength. Currently, they lead the Serbian Superliga table, averaging over three goals per game and boasting a strong record of four wins and a draw in their recent outings. Notably, they thrashed Cukaricki 4-1 last Thursday, with Peter Olayinka scoring a brace.
Team News
Bodo/Glimt will be without several key players for this fixture. Nino Zugelj, Gaute Vetti, and Syver Skeide remain sidelined, joined by left-back Brice Wembangomo and defender Omar Elabdellaoui.
Despite these absences, the home side boasts attacking options, with Sondre Fet, Kasper Hogh, August Mikkelsen, and Ulrik Saltnes all finding the back of the net twice in the qualifying rounds. Hogh and former AC Milan winger Jens Petter Hauge are expected to lead the line, while captain Patrick Berg, a regular scorer in the Eliteserien, will be a key figure in midfield.
Red Star Belgrade's attack is likely to be spearheaded by Peter Olayinka and Bruno Duarte, with Gabonese international Guelor Kanga, who contributed 17 goal involvements last season, posing a constant threat. New signing Felicio Milson could also feature.
South Korean duo Seol Young-woo, who recently scored his first goal for the club, and Hwang In-beom are expected to play a crucial role, potentially joining Slovenian Timi Max Elsnik in the starting lineup.
Possible Starting Lineups:
Bodo/Glimt: Haikin; Sjovold, Moe, Gundersen, Bjorkan; Fet, Berg, Evjen; Hauge, Hogh, Mikkelsen
Red Star Belgrade: Ilic; Mimovic, Djiga, Spajic, Seol; Elsnik, Hwang; Milson, Ivanic, Olayinka; Duarte
Prediction
With so much at stake, expect a tight first leg between two teams renowned for their attacking prowess in domestic football. Red Star's prolific scoring record suggests they will find the net, making them slight favourites to progress after next week's return leg.
We predict: Bodo/Glimt 1-1 Red Star Belgrade
