Bodo/Glimt tipped to notch healthy first-leg advantage over Zalgiris
FK Bodo/Glimt vs VMFD Zalgiris - 03/08/2022
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On Wednesday night, Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt host Lithuanian outfit Zalgiris for the first leg of their 2022/23 UEFA Champions League qualifier.
Funnily enough, Bodø/Glimt and Zalgiris faced each other in Europa League qualifying in 2020/21 before facing off again in Europa Conference League qualifying last season.
Since the Norwegians came out on top on both occasions, the Lithuanians will be desperate to make amends this time around.
It’s safe to say that Bodø/Glimt have made light work of their previous opponents in this season’s Champions League qualification campaign.
After claiming a 4-3 aggregate victory over Faroese outfit KI, the Norwegians thrashed Northern Irish side Linfield 8-1 in the previous round.
Despite losing 1-0 in Linfield, Bodø/Glimt crushed the Northern Irishmen 8-0 in the second leg – with both Amahl Pellegrino and Runar Esejord bagging a brace.
Believe it or not, Bodø/Glimt have not drawn any of their past 14 games in all competitions – recording ten wins and four losses in that time.
It is also worth noting that Bodø/Glimt have won each of their last four Eliteserien outings, meaning they are in the running to defend their domestic crown.
On the flip side, Zalgiris beat Kosovan outfit Ballkani 2-1 in the first qualifying round before securing a 3-0 aggregate victory over Malmo in the previous round.
The Lithuanians have kept a clean sheet in each of their past three Champions League qualifiers, scoring four goals along the way.
In the A Lyga, Zalgiris have suffered just one defeat in 18 games this year – securing 12 wins and five draws in the process.
In addition to boasting the best defensive record in Lithuania's top tier, Zalgiris are the second-highest scorers in the division.
Head-to-head: Zalgiris have never managed to beat Bodø/Glimt, despite facing the Norwegians three times since 2020.
Bodø/Glimt won the first meetings 3-1. Last season, the teams played out a 2-2 draw in Lithuania before Bodø/Glimt claimed a 1-0 victory on home soil.
Team news: Bodø/Glimt have two injury absentees at the moment. Sondre Fet (knee) and Ola Solbakken (shoulder) are set to miss Wednesday’s clash.
Zalgiris are injury-free right now, meaning head coach Vladimir Cheburin has a full-strength squad at his disposal.
If the previous meetings between Bodø/Glimt and Zalgiris are anything to go by, the Norwegians shouldn’t struggle to come out on top this time around.
Forebet predicts that Bodø/Glimt will score over 2.5 goals on their way to chalking up a solid first-leg advantage over Zalgiris.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UCL
512920
1
3 - 1
3.00
16°
1.22
1.22
5.75
11.00
no
no
no
5 - 0(2 - 0)
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