- Fixture: Bodø/Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur (UEFA Europa League Semi-final, Second Leg)
- Date: Thursday, 8 May 2025
- Venue: Aspmyra Stadion, Bodø, Norway
Match Preview
Tottenham Hotspur travel to Norway with one foot in the Europa League final after a commanding 3-1 win in the first leg in London. Ange Postecoglou’s side will want to finish the job at Aspmyra Stadion, but Bodø/Glimt have shown throughout this European campaign that they are not to be underestimated, especially on home soil. The Norwegian champions, who have already knocked out Twente, Olympiacos, and Lazio in dramatic fashion, will be hoping for another famous night in front of their passionate fans.
Bodø/Glimt’s recent form has been solid domestically-they sit 5th in the Eliteserien, just two points off the top, having started their league campaign in late March. In Europe, their resilience was on full display as they edged past Lazio on penalties in the quarter-finals after losing a two-goal first-leg advantage. However, their away form in Europe has been shaky, with four losses in their last five continental trips, making this home tie crucial if they are to mount a comeback.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have struggled in the Premier League, languishing in the bottom half, but have found a new lease of life in Europe. They have won five of their eight Europa League group matches and showed grit to overturn deficits against AZ Alkmaar and Eintracht Frankfurt in the knockout rounds. However, their 5-1 thrashing at Liverpool last weekend highlighted ongoing defensive vulnerabilities, and they have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 matches in all competitions. They had to Norway on the back of a 1-1 draw with West Ham, a match in which Ange Postecoglou understandably rotated heavily.
Both teams are dealing with significant absences. Bodø/Glimt are hit hard by suspensions-club captain Patrick Berg, key midfielder Hakon Evjen, and forward Andreas Helmersen are all out, while winger Ole Didrik Blomberg (injury) and central defender Odin Bjørtuft (injury) are major doubts. Tottenham are missing creative lynchpin James Maddison, who is out for the season with a knee injury, as well as Lucas Bergvall and Radu Dragusin, while Son Heung-min is a serious doubt but Dominic Solanke is expected to be fit. These absences could shape the tactical approach of both managers, with Spurs likely to lean on their attacking depth and Bodø/Glimt forced to improvise in midfield.
Key Players
- Bodø/Glimt: Ulrik Saltnes (midfield dynamo and scorer in the previous round), Amahl Pellegrino (top scorer), and goalkeeper Nikita Haikin, who was key in the penalty shootout against Lazio.
- Tottenham: Dominic Solanke (main attacking outlet, three goals and four assists in Europe), Brennan Johnson (four Europa League goals), and Pedro Porro (creative force from right-back).
Prediction
Given Tottenham’s two-goal cushion and Bodø/Glimt’s depleted midfield, Spurs are strong favorites to progress. However, Bodø/Glimt’s home form in Europe and their never-say-die attitude mean they could make things nervy, especially if they score first. Expect Tottenham’s quality to shine through, but not without a scare.
Predicted Score: Bodø/Glimt 1-2 Tottenham (Tottenham win 5-2 on aggregate).
Betting Markets
| Market | Odds | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Tottenham to Win | 1/3 | Bet Now |
| Draw | 21/4 | Bet Now |
| Bodø/Glimt to Win | 9/1 | Bet Now |
| Both Teams to Score | 8/11 | Bet Now |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 4/7 | Bet Now |
| Solanke to Score Anytime | 13/8 | Bet Now |
| Tottenham -1 Handicap | 6/5 | Bet Now |
| Highest Scoring Half: 1st | 21/10 | Bet Now |
| Tottenham 6+ Shots on Target | 1/3 | Bet Now |
Odds are subject to change. 18+ Please gamble responsibly.
This semi-final promises drama, goals, and a fantastic European atmosphere in Norway. Spurs have the edge, but Bodø/Glimt’s spirit could make for a memorable night.
