Bodo/Glimt and Lech Poznan go head to head in the first leg of the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League for a spot in the next round on Thursday evening.
Bodo/Glimt were victorious in a 4-2 thriller against Stromsgodset in their last fixture, while Lech Poznan edged past Wisla Plock with a 1-0 win in their last match.
Match preview
Due to the Eliteserien finishing in November, Bodo/Glimt have not played a competitive match in three months, which could have a profound effect on their fitness and match sharpness.
Although they participated in friendly matches to try and regain match sharpness within the squad, they have only won one of those games, being winless in their previous three friendlies.
The Norwegian side finished second in the Eliteserien last season and were the top scorers in their division, but at European level they struggled to make an impact, finishing third in the Europa League group stages and subsequently landing themselves a spot in the Europa Conference League knockout stages.
Despite being knocked out of the Europa League, Bodo/Glimt competed in a difficult group to progress through, as they were drawn into a group with Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven.
Meanwhile, Lech Poznan are currently unbeaten in their last seven games and are currently on course for Europa Conference League qualification, as they occupy third in the Ekstraklasa.
In their most recent fixture, Lech Poznan were able to overcome Wisla Plock with a single goal from Radoslaw Murawski to give them three vital points, but John van den Brom will be looking for a more controlled performance from his side in this affair, as his side did give chances away to their opponents.
Lech Poznan qualified for this round after overcoming a changed Villarreal side in their final Europa Conference League group match, as goals from Kristoffer Velde and Michal Skoras helped them to a 3-0 victory over the Spaniards and booked them a ticket into the knockout stages.
The away side will have confidence rolling into this fixture as they are unbeaten in their previous four away games and will believe that they can take a positive result heading back to Poznan in the home tie.
It has been in defence where the Polish side have thrived this season, as they have managed a 50% clean sheet record this season, securing 10 clean sheets in their 20 league encounters.
Team News
Bodo/Glimt are set to line up with six changes to the last competitive side that started in their 4-2 win against Stromsgodset.
Neither Alfons Sampsted or Marius Hoibraten will feature for Bodo/Glimt as the two defenders are no longer at the club, with Brice Wembangomo and Adam Sorensen set to replace them at full-back.
Patrick Berg and Albert Gronbaek are expected to remain in the starting XI, with Ulrik Saltnes set to miss out in place of Hugo Vetlesen.
Faris Moumbagna and Amahl Pellegrino will also take the place of Runar Espejord and Ola Solbakken in the front line.
John van den Brom is not expected to make any changes to the side that saw off Wisla Plock in a 1-0 victory on the weekend.
Mikael Ishak is set to lead the line for the Polish side, as the Swedish striker is their top scorer with nine goals in the league.
Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:
Lund; Wembangomo, Moe, Lode, Sorensen; Vetlesen, Berg, Gronbaek; Mvuka, Moumbagna, Pellegrino
Lech Poznan possible starting lineup:
Bednarek; Pereira, Salamon, Dagerstal, Czerwinski; Murawski, Karlstrom; Szymczak, Marchwinski, Skoras; Ishak
We say: Bodo/Glimt 1-2 Lech Poznan
We believe that the inactivity of Bodo/Glimt will play a significant factor in this fixture as Lech Poznan will be much sharper and physically prepared for this encounter.
Therefore, we think that the Polish side will edge this contest and head back to Poland with a narrow advantage over their opponents.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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