The Belgians are visiting the Aspmyra Fortress!
The hosts made waves in the Champions League last year, especially on their home turf. At their home stadium, Aspmyra, they defeated a string of European heavyweights such as Manchester City and Atlético Madrid. Bodö/Glimt’s run didn’t end until the Round of 16, when they were eliminated by Sporting Lisbon.
The visitors also competed in the Champions League last year, marking a first for the Belgians. Unlike their upcoming opponent, however, their run did not extend beyond the group stage. Given the Norwegians’ aforementioned home strength, we’re predicting a home win in the matchup between Bodø/Glimt and Royal Union SG.
Furthermore, it looks like the home team will score more than one goal. The first leg showed that the offense is in good form, and in front of their own fans, they were very consistent in last season’s Champions League: In only two of their eleven home games did the four-time national champions fail to score at least twice, and they averaged 1.8 goals per game.
On top of that, in the match between Bodø/Glimt and Royale Union SG, the betting odds on more than two goals and both teams scoring could be worth considering. This pattern was already evident in the first leg and was almost the norm in the Norwegians’ Champions League home games last season: 80 percent of those ten matches ended with more than 2.5 goals and both teams finding the net!
Bodø/Glimt – Royale Union SG Head-to-Head Record
The teams had already faced each other once about two years ago in the Europa League group stage, prior to last week’s 3-3 draw in Brussels. That match also took place in the Belgian capital and likewise ended in a draw (0–0). For the upcoming clash between Bodö/Glimt and Royale Union SG, however, the odds now point toward a victory for the Norwegian runners-up.
Bodö/Glimt – Royale Union SG Prediction
The Aspmyra Stadium became an impregnable fortress last season. Bodö/Glimt won their last four home games in the Champions League, and the list of opponents reads like a “who’s who” of top European soccer, featuring teams like Inter Milan and Manchester City.
The visitors from Brussels have been warned, especially since they aren’t among Europe’s elite. Although they won the title in their domestic Jupiler League last season, by international standards, the Belgian top flight isn’t a major force and functions more as a “farmers’ league.”
Furthermore, the Blue-and-Yellows are currently vulnerable on defense. They conceded three goals in the first leg, and the previous final in the Belgian Super Cup against Bruges also didn’t result in a clean sheet.
However, defense will be particularly crucial now, as the Norwegians really turn up the heat offensively in their home games. In fact, they’ve scored three goals in each of their last three Champions League home matches! Given this situation, we’re betting on a home win in the matchup between Bodø/Glimt and Royal Union SG.
