Europa League | Knockout Round Playoffs | 2nd Leg

Feb 20, 2025 at 5.45pm UK

Aspmyra Stadion

Bodo/Glimt vs FC Twente

(agg: 1-2)

Match preview

On the basis of their league form alone, Bodo/Glimt should have been favourites for this match, finishing in ninth place, just one place off the last 16, and missing out on goal difference.

Twente, on the other hand, sneaked in on goal difference in 23rd place, but despite the potentially treacherous journey to the Arctic Circle, were and remain favourites to reach the last 16.

Despite not playing domestic football, Bodo/Glimt remain stoic and there was certainly no rust in their legs last week when they went toe-to-toe with the Dutch in Enschede.

The Eliteserien champions are rarely the best travellers in Europe, but it looked as if they would come away with a draw from their trip to the Netherlands after Patrick Berg's 85th-minute strike had levelled the scores.

However, an unfortunate handball five minutes into stoppage time gave Ricky van Wolfswinkel the chance to put Twente ahead again, and he did just that.

The tie is far from over, however, given Bodo/Glimt's home form in Europe, with 25 wins from their last 31 games on the Aspmyra pitch, an average of 2.6 goals per game.

A repeat of that would give them a great chance of progressing, but they are also a goal-shy side, having conceded 35 goals in their last eight home matches in all competitions, 13 of which have gone in the wrong direction.

Recent friendlies have been useful in keeping the squad fit, but have done little to inspire confidence or defensive stability, as Bodo/Glimt have lost all three of their matches against Fortuna Düsseldorf, Sparta Prague and Aalborg, conceding 11 goals in the process.

They will need to address these defensive issues if they are to win a European knockout tie after losing the first leg for the first time and reach the last 16 of the Europa League for the first time.

While Bodo/Glimt will be looking to make club history, Twente will be looking to rediscover their form on the continent, which has been absent for more than a decade.

The Eredivisie side have not reached the last 16 of the Europa League since 2012, and this is their first season in a genuine UEFA competition since 2013.

One positive omen for the visitors going into the game is that they have never lost in Norway, winning their first two trips before drawing 0-0 with Konsvinger in the 1998 Intertoto Cup.

That may not mean much in terms of form, but Twente are unbeaten in six matches, a run that began with a 3-2 win away to Malmo in this competition.

Twente have not won back-to-back European away games since the 1977-78 season, but one of their wins during that run came against Brann in Norway, and after a 2-1 win last week, followed by a 2-0 victory over Waalwijk on Sunday, the visitors will travel with confidence.

Recent Performance

Bodo/Glimt Europa League form:LLWWDL

Bodo/Glimt form (all competitions):LWWWDL

FC Twente Europa League form:DLDWWW

FC Twente form (all competitions):WWDDWW

Team News

There are no new updates on the availability of the hosts, with Gaute Vetti, Syver Skeide and Daniel Bassi still out for Bodo/Glimt.

Ole Blomberg, a £1m signing from Brann in January, has played in six Conference League qualifiers this season and made his Europa League debut in the first leg, playing the full 90 minutes.

Sam Lammers returned to the Twente squad after being injured in the first leg, but only made his first appearance at the weekend, scoring in the win over Waalwijk.

Oosting named a strong XI for that game, but Van Wolfswinkel should be back up front after scoring his second goal of the Europa League campaign - his highest since a breakthrough season with Sporting Lisbon 13 years ago, which ultimately earned him an ill-fated move to Norwich City.

Twente will have just one absentee, Moroccan Younes Taha, who is out long-term with a broken leg.

Possible starting lineup

Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:

Haikin; Sjovold, Nielsen, Gundersen, Bjorkan; Evjen, Berg, Saltnes; Blomberg, Hogh, Hauge

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Unnerstall; Van Rooij, Hilgers, Lagerbielke, Kuipers; Vlap, Sadilek, Steijn; Lammers, Van Wolfswinkel, Ltaief