The first leg of the 2024/25 Europa League semi-final between Tottenham (England) and Bodø/Glimt (Norway) will take place on May 1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Tottenham vs. Bodø/Glimt: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Tottenham
The London club has reached the semi-finals of a European competition for the second time in the 21st century. Recall that in the 2018/19 season, the English side made it to the Champions League final. Ange Postecoglou's squad has suffered only one defeat in their last eight Europa League matches (4 wins and 3 draws). The loss came in the first leg against AZ Alkmaar in the Round of 16 (0-1), but Tottenham convincingly avenged it in the return leg (3-1). In the previous stage, the Londoners faced Eintracht, who were defeated thanks to an away victory in the second leg (1-1 and 1-0).
- The Londoners have a 13-match unbeaten streak at home in this European competition (10 wins and 3 draws).
- Tottenham has kept a clean sheet in 8 of their last 11 home Europa League matches.
- The English side opened the scoring in 12 of their last 13 home games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Tottenham (4-3-3)
Guglielmo Vicario – Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven – Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur – Mathys Tel, Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke.
Defender Radu Drăgușin and forward Son Heung-min will miss the match due to injuries.
Bodø/Glimt
For the first time in history, a Norwegian representative will play in the semi-finals of a European competition. Bodø/Glimt previously reached the quarter-finals once in the 2021/22 Conference League. In the current European season, Kjetil Knutsen's side has already passed three playoff stages, but only in the Europa League Round of 16 was everything decided within 180 minutes of play. They managed to overcome Olympiacos (3-0 and 1-2). In the knockout matches, the team needed extra time to deal with Twente (1-2 and 3-2, extra time 2-0). In the previous round, the Norwegians only advanced past Lazio on penalties (2-0, 0-2, extra time 1-1, penalties 3-2).
- No more than three goals were scored in regular time in 6 of Bodø/Glimt's last 7 Europa League matches.
- Both teams scored in 9 of Bodø/Glimt's last 12 games in this tournament.
- The Scandinavians have scored in regular time in their last six away matches in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Bodø/Glimt (4-3-3)
Nikita Haikin – Fredrik Bjørkan, Fredrik Sjøvold, Jostein Gundersen, Odin Bjørtuft – Ulrik Saltnes, Patrick Berg, Håkon Evjen – Ole Blumberg, Kasper Høgh, Jens Petter Hauge.
Midfielders Patrick Berg and Håkon Evjen, as well as forward Andreas Helmersen, will miss the match due to suspensions.
Referee
Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez (Spain)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 37;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.7;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 10%.
Match Prediction: Tottenham vs. Bodø/Glimt
The Londoners face an opponent with the lowest ranking among clubs that have reached the semi-final stage. Scandinavian teams rarely make it to the later rounds of European competitions, so Bodø/Glimt's presence in the Europa League's final four is somewhat of a sensation. The Norwegians have progressed this far thanks to excellent performances on their home turf, where they have won their last five matches in this European competition. However, Bodø/Glimt often struggles on the road. This century, the club has played 13 away Europa League matches, winning only once.
The English side is well aware of the Scandinavians' strength at home, so they will aim to secure a favorable result in the first match. Tottenham has not lost at home in this European competition for nine years (10 wins and 3 draws). Moreover, they have won by a margin of two or more goals in 9 of their last 12 home matches in this tournament.
Tottenham has had a disappointing season in the Premier League and has focused its main efforts on the European competition, where victory would secure a spot in the main round of the Champions League. Also, note that the Norwegian league is just gaining momentum, and Bodø/Glimt has played only four games in the national tournament so far. Considering all these factors, I suggest the prediction Tottenham with a handicap (-1.5)
