Bodo/Glimt |

TUESDAY 25TH AUGUST – 20:00 BST

🇪🇺 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIER ⚽

BODØ/GLIMT VS. NEC

NEC head to Norway with their backs firmly against the wall, trailing by 3–1 from the first leg and needing to somehow overturn the deficit on Bodø/Glimt’s notorious plastic pitch of the Aspmyra Stadion. It’s a huge ask for the Nijmegen side, and while miracles can happen in Champions League qualifiers, Will Burns isn’t convinced this is one that could happen.

Neither side played at the weekend, meaning both arrive fresh for the decisive Champions League playoff encounter. The Norwegian champions‑elect are on the brink of securing back‑to‑back qualifications for the league phase, having taken a commanding position in the first leg. Goals from Sondre Fet, Andreas Helmersen and Haitam Aleesami put Glimt firmly in control, though Clement Bischoff’s late strike keeps NEC’s hopes alive.

BODØ/GLIMT

Bodø/Glimt entered the tie as favourites, having reached European knockout rounds in each of the past five seasons and famously reaching the Champions League last 16 last term by beating Manchester City, Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan. Their current European run began with a dramatic 6‑5 aggregate victory over Union Saint‑Gilloise, sealed by Helmersen’s extra‑time winner.

Domestically, Glimt were narrowly beaten to the Eliteserien title last season by Viking FK but have responded with six straight league wins since the summer break. Added to nine goals across three European qualifiers, they have scored 15 times during this hot streak. At home, they remain strong. Unbeaten, four wins from four, averaging 2.75 goals scored and just 0.50 conceded per 90 minutes.

In terms of personnel, they have some injuries but the core is still there. Jostein Gundersen (thigh) and Håkon Evjen (knee) remain sidelined, with Aleesami likely to continue in central defence. Patrick Berg anchors the midfield, while Helmersen has stepped up impressively since Kasper Høgh’s departure to Celtic. Any two from Ola Brynhildsen, Ole Blomberg and Jens Petter Hauge will complete the attacking trio.

NEC

NEC’s presence at this stage is remarkable. Last season’s shock third‑place Eredivisie finish earned them entry into Champions League qualifying, marking only their fifth European campaign and their first in 17 years. They progressed past Olympiacos with a 2‑1 extra‑time win after a goalless first leg in Greece, guaranteeing at least Europa League football regardless of Tuesday’s outcome.

Dick Schreuder has transformed NEC since taking charge in 2025, adding verticality, intensity and a high‑pressing approach. They operate with a back three and wing‑backs, making them more expansive than most Dutch sides. Form remains mixed. They have two wins, one draw and two losses in their last five but they carry attacking threat through the experience line-up of Bryan Linssen, Kaj Sierhuis, Dusan Tadić and Tjaronn Chery.

Injuries remain a concern. Koki Ogawa and Sami Ouaissa are doubtful, while Philippe Sandler and Perr Schuurs are long‑term absentees.

ANALYSIS

We’ve already mentioned Glimt‘s home form but looking wider, they are overwhelming: unbeaten now in 14 matches, 10 wins in that run, and at least one goal scored in each of their last 14 games. Over 1.5 goals has landed in 33 of their last 35 fixtures, and all of their last 11 Champions League matches have produced over 2.5 goals.

NEC have scored in 32 of their last 33 matches, and their fixtures consistently produce goals: over 1.5 goals in 20 of their last 21, and second‑half goals in 31 of their last 33.

The first‑leg result gives Bodø/Glimt a two goal advantage but their shortage of clean sheets, none in their last four, keeps the tie alive and NEC some hope. The Nijmegen side’s strong scoring record suggests they can threaten, especially as they must chase the game from the outset. Both teams have powerful trends for first‑half goals: Glimt have recorded one in 25 of their last 26 matches, while NEC have done so in 19 of their last 21 away fixtures.

Second‑half action is also highly probable. Glimt have seen goals after the break in all of their last 11 Champions League matches, and NEC in 31 of their last 33 in all competitions. Tactically, this match promises intensity as Glimt’s controlled 4‑3‑3 possession structure and counter‑press will clash with NEC’s aggressive wing‑back system and vertical transitions. This should be open, entertaining and clad with goal scoring opportunities.

PREDICTION

Bodø/Glimt should finish the job and score goals… obviously. Their momentum, home strength and attacking consistency make them overwhelming favourites to progress. NEC will likely score, they almost always do, but chasing a two‑goal deficit is a dangerous recipe for their defence. NEC’s consolation will be Europa League qualification, while Glimt look set for another season among Europe’s elite.

⚽️ BET 1: Bodø/Glimt win & Both Teams to Score
💷 1pt
Best Odds: 2.50 at Bet365

⚽️ BET 2: Both Teams to Score 2 or More Goals
💷 1pt
Best Odds: 3.50 at Sky Bet

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TotalDutchFootball.com

WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST – 20:00 BST

🇪🇺 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIER ⚽

NEC VS. BODØ/GLIMT

NEC are on the verge of a historic breakthrough as they chase a place in the Champions League. Their extra‑time triumph over Olympiakos has pushed them to the final qualifying stage, with only Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt standing between the Nijmegen club and Europe’s elite. I say only, it’s no easy feat. Bodø/Glimt defeated Manchester City, Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid in last season’s Champions League.

The Norwegians arrived in the Netherlands well ahead of schedule as they had the weekend off, while NEC tuned up with a commanding 4–1 victory over Willem II on Saturday. All signs point to a tense, cautious first leg between two sides fully aware of what this tie means but Bodø don’t play like that writes Will Burns.

NEC

Although a stuttering start to the league campaign, NEC’s momentum is building. The thrilling 2–1 win over Olympiakos, sealed by Emre Mor in extra time, has injected belief into Dick Schreuder’s squad and it showed on Saturday. Domestically, NEC responded well after their opening‑day defeat to Telstar, beating Willem II comfortably 4-1 in Tilburg although it took them a while to get going.

The club has also been active in the transfer market with three players arriving in the past week but none of them are in the squad. Confirmed are Austrian goalkeeper Nikolas Polster arrived from Wolfsberger on a permanent deal and goes straight into the squad for Wednesday night, with Portuguese central defender Gabriel Brás (FC Porto – loan) joining him. German left-back Almugera Kabar (Borussia Dortmund) also signed on and Ahmetcan Kaplan is set to arrive from Ajax after a renewed agreement, but neither are registered for the first leg. Schreuder will also be without Sami Ouaissa, Philippe Sandler and Yassin Moslih.

BODØ/GLIMT

The Norweigans enter the tie at the top of the Eliteserien after 17 games and one of Scandinavia’s most consistent European performers. They needed extra time to eliminate Belgian’s Union Saint‑Gilloise, drawing 3–3 away and winning 3–2 at home in the last round of qualifiers but the club has not lost a game since 4th May, putting together a fifteen‑match unbeaten run.

Their preparation has been meticulous: with no league match scheduled, manager Kjetil Knutsen and the squad travelled to the Netherlands on Friday. Bodø play on a plastic surface in Norway due to the extreme cold temperatures, so the club are taking advantage of training of a grass pitch and warmer temperatures than back home. The early arrival also gives the Eliteserien champions a rare full week of training after a packed recent schedule.

A strong squad has made the trip, including key figures such as Patrick Berg, Ulrik Saltnes, Jens Petter Hauge and Ola Brynhildsen. Only Jostein Gundersen, Håkon Evjen, August Mikkelsen and Isak Sjong remain in Norway for alternative training. The only concern in the squad is their only signing of the summer, midfielder Joshua Kitolano, a free transfer from Sparta Rotterdam, who picked up a knee injury in training and remains doubtful.

The squad is packed with experience at this level, and Kasper Høgh, joined Celtic in a €12.9 million move this summer, as the only major departure from the team that reached the Champions League last-16 last season.

ANALYSIS

This is NEC’s first ever meeting with Bodø/Glimt, but the Norwegians are no strangers of Dutch opposition facing AZ, PSV, Ajax and FC Twente with respectable results in recent years. NEC’s home form in Europe has been strong, but Bodø/Glimt’s attacking consistency and European pedigree make them very dangerous opponents.

Because this is the first leg of a two‑match tie, both sides may naturally lean toward caution — though that’s rarely how Bodø/Glimt or NEC approach a game. Although NEC will be determined not to concede at home, while Glimt usually play with controlled aggression on their travels, pressing high and looking to impose themselves early. Schreuder’s men were one of the most attack‑minded sides in the Eredivisie last season, and we’ve already seen signs of that in the build‑up to this game, with NEC beating Olympiakos 2–1 on aggregate last week.

PREDICTION

Bodø/Glimt know this level inside out and are naturally better equipped for a Champions League playoff than most of the talent NEC can call upon. That said, NEC have shown they can compete — their two‑legged win over Olympiakos proved they’re not out of their depth. Goals feel likely here, with Glimt the more probable winners.

They’ve beaten elite opposition in this competition before and still retain the core of that squad, so over two legs they should have enough to see off NEC. However, Glimt did concede five goals across their tie with Union SG, and NEC have enough attacking quality to find at least one themselves.

⚽️ BET 1: Both Teams to Score in Both Halves
💷 0.5pt
Best Odds: 8.00 at Sky Bet

⚽️ BET 2: Both Teams to Score 2 or More Goals
💷 1pt
Best Odds: 3.50 at Sky Bet

⚽️ BET 3 – BET BUILDER
Bodo/Glimt or Draw
Both Teams to Score
Over 2.5 Goals
💷 1pt
Best Odds: 2.46 at Sky Bet