Zalgiris – Bodo/Glimt : Preview & Prediction
Although Zalgiris went to Norway for the first leg having conceded just one goal in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualifying round, the humiliating 5-0 scoreline from that game suggests they are out. To put it in perspective, the team needs to record the biggest comeback in the competition’s history for a home team in a second leg of a UCL tie to advance, surpassing the current record of Barcelona who beat PSG 6-1 (6-5 on aggregate) in 2016/17.
That hypothetical win would be Zalgiris’ first over Norwegian opposition (E2, P4), with both home games ending in draws in that sequence. Vladimir Cheburin’s side have at least made it a fifth straight league win to continue their run to the league title, a run that adds to scoring first in 16 of their last 19 games in league competition, something they will need to do in this fixture.
Having gone further in the UCL standings than ever before in their history, Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt look set to take another step towards a first UCL group stage appearance. The Norwegians have already scored 13 goals during their last two qualifiers, including a club-record 8-0 win in the previous round.
The Norwegians are not to be underestimated, after two wins in the last Conference League against eventual champions Roma and a historic win in Glasgow against Celtic, both of which helped Bodo/Glimt announce themselves to the eyes of the world. Despite this, they have played their away qualifiers by taking their foot off the gas this time around, losing as betting favourites in their last two such appearances.
Players to watch: Renan Oliveira scored in Zalgiris’ recent 2-0 win over Malmö in UCL, and also scored decisive goals in four of their last six home games. Bodo/Glimt’s Amahl Pellegrino has scored or assisted at least once in eight of his last ten halves (eight goals, two assists).
Key stat: Only four of Bodo/Glimt’s 24 total European wins have been recorded away from home (G4, E7, P13).
Zalgiris – Bodo/Glimt : Betting Tips
OVER 2.5 GOALS Odds:2.25
