The first leg of the Champions League 2025/26 qualifying playoff between Bodo/Glimt (Norway) and Sturm Graz (Austria) will take place on August 20 at Aspmyra Stadium. Bodo/Glimt vs. Sturm Graz: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Bodo/Glimt
The club earned the right to compete in the Champions League thanks to their victory in the recent Norwegian championship. Last season, the team was also the strongest in their league but started much earlier, from the second qualifying round of the Champions League, eventually being stopped by Red Star Belgrade in the playoffs for the main stage (2-1 and 0-2). It is worth noting that the Norwegians have begun their journey from the qualifying rounds of this European competition four times but have yet to reach the main draw of the Champions League.
- The Norwegians have won in regular time in 5 of their last 6 matches in this European competition.
- At least 3 goals have been scored in 7 of Bodo/Glimt's last 8 home matches in this tournament.
- The team has scored at least two goals in regular time in 7 of their previous 8 home games in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Bodo/Glimt (3-5-2)
Jakob Haugaard – Abubakarr Kinte, Tobias Guddal, Vetle Skjervik – Runar Norheim, David Edvardsson, Ruben Jenssen, Jens Hjertedal, Leo Cornic – Vegard Erlien, Yeltsin Camo.
Sturm Graz
The team is also just starting in this European competition season, and they are also in the status of the local championship winners. Last season, the Austrians played in the main stage of the Champions League, but then they received a direct ticket to the group stage, where they ultimately secured 2 wins and suffered 6 losses. However, in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, the club from the second place in the Bundesliga advanced to the third qualifying round of the Champions League but was immediately eliminated from this tournament both times.
- The Austrians' uncompromising series in regular time in this European competition consists of 14 matches (3 wins and 11 losses).
- At least one team failed to score in 6 of Sturm Graz's last 7 games in the Champions League.
- The club has suffered 7 consecutive away losses in regular time in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Sturm Graz (4-3-3)
Oliver Christensen – Max Johnston, Emanuel Aiwu, Dimitri Lavalee, Emir Karic – Jon Gorenc-Stankovic, Tomi Horvat, Tochi Chukwuani – Otar Kiteishvili, Leon Grgic, William Boving.
Referee
Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
Matches – 17 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 60;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.5;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 18%.
Match Prediction: Bodo/Glimt vs. Sturm Graz
These are roughly equal opponents in terms of strength, but in the first meeting, the hosts are clear favorites. The Norwegians are very strong at home in the Champions League, winning their last 7 home matches in this tournament, conceding only two goals in this series. Bodo/Glimt themselves have scored at least 2 goals in 7 of their last 8 home encounters in the Champions League.
For the Austrians, every away trip carries the threat of defeat. The club has lost all 7 of their previous away matches in this tournament, and the goal difference in these matches is quite telling – 4:18. I am confident that the Scandinavians will put in every effort to defeat their opponent at home as decisively as possible to have a significant advantage in the return leg.
My prediction – Bodo/Glimt to Win
