Arsenal – Bodo/Glimt : Preview & Prediction
Thanks to their postponed UEFA Europa League (UEL) match against PSV, Arsenal find themselves trying to get back to the top of Group A. That outstanding fixture will be played sooner rather than later, but the visit of Bodø/Glimt is the first challenge the current Premier League (PL) leaders must overcome, and with five wins in their previous six matches against Norwegian opposition (E1), one would expect them to do so.
The Gunners have been at their best when Norwegian clubs have visited north London, with a 13-2 aggregate record in three home games (G3). There is some expectation on Arsenal’s shoulders in the UEL after advancing to the knockout stage in their previous three appearances, but Mikel Arteta’s side proved they can handle the pressure in their run-up to this clash with a 3-1 north London derby win over Spurs on Saturday that kept them top of the PL.
Bodø/Glimt are again looking to defy the odds after reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League last year. The Norwegian champions have got off to a good start in pursuit of that goal, with four points after two UEL group stage games seeing them top the group at the end of those two matches, with this being helped by good starts which saw them score first in both games.
A 4-1 away win over Lillestrøm in the Elitserien at the weekend served as the perfect preparation, although a 15-point cushion with Molde in the race for top spot with just 18 points to play for means Bodø/Glimt can all but wrap up their title challenge. As such, having to focus solely on UEL will help them, but being winless in their last seven appearances on rival soil in European competitions (E3, P4), Bodø/Glimt could find themselves displaced from top spot in UEL as well.
Players to watch: Gabriel Jesus is yet to see an opponent’s goal in UEL, but considering that all four of his UEFA Champions League goals for Manchester City were recorded on home soil last season, he could surely have a chance to open his account in this match. For their part, Bodø/Glimt may need Runar Espejord to make a decisive intervention in the match considering his last two away goals were crucial in victories.
Key stat: Bodø/Glimt have conceded exactly one goal in six of their last nine away games.
Arsenal – Bodo/Glimt : Betting Tips
OVER 3.5 GOALS Odds: 2.25
