The first leg of the 2024/25 Europa League playoff between Twente (Netherlands) and Bodø/Glimt (Norway) will take place on February 13 at the Grolsch Veste Stadium in Enschede. Twente vs. Bodø/Glimt: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Twente
In the last round of the group stage, Joseph Oosting's team defeated Besiktas at home (1-0). As a result, Twente finished this stage with two victories, despite not winning any of their first six games (4 draws, 2 losses). This surge allowed the Dutch side to clinch 23rd place in the standings and secure a playoff spot. Notably, the club's scoring record was low: no playoff team scored fewer goals than Twente (8).
Midfielder Younes Taha will miss the game due to injury. Additionally, defender Anass Salah-Eddine has transferred to Roma.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 4 of their last 5 Europa League matches (2 wins, 2 draws).
- The club scored a maximum of one goal in 90 minutes in 6 of their previous 8 encounters in this European competition.
- No more than two goals have been scored in regular time in 6 of Twente's last 8 Europa League matches.
Predicted lineup for Twente (4-2-3-1)
Lars Unnerstall – Anass Salah-Eddine, Gustav Lagerbielke, Max Bruns, Bart van Rooij – Michal Sadilek, Michel Vlap – Saifullah Latayef, Sem Steijn, Dan Rots – Ricky van Wolfswinkel.
Bodø/Glimt
Kjetil Knutsen's side drew 1-1 with Nice away in their last match of the tournament. Consequently, Bodø/Glimt remained unbeaten in their third consecutive Europa League game (2 wins, 1 draw). The draw did not allow the Norwegians to advance directly to the Round of 16, as they dropped to ninth place in the standings. Notably, the team managed to keep a clean sheet only once in eight group stage matches.
Forward Daniel Bassi will miss the game due to injury.
- The club has not won in regular time in 7 of their last 8 away Europa League matches (3 draws, 4 losses).
- No more than three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 6 of the team's last 7 away matches in this European competition.
- The Norwegians have not scored more than once in regular time in 6 of their last 7 away Europa League matches.
Predicted lineup for Bodø/Glimt (4-3-3)
Nikita Haikin – Fredrik Bjørkan, Isak Dybvik Määttä, Jostein Gundersen, Villads Nielsen – Ulrik Saltnes, Patrick Berg, Håkon Evjen – Fredrik Sjøvold, Kasper Høgh, Jens Petter Hauge.
Referee
Sebastian Gishamer (Austria)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 41;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 5;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 11%.
Twente vs. Bodø/Glimt: Match Prediction
In the current Europa League campaign, the Dutch side has not impressed with their attacking play at home. Over four home matches in the group stage, Twente managed only two goals and failed to score against Lazio and Belgian Union. Meanwhile, Joseph Oosting's team strives to minimize defensive errors and has conceded only four goals at home in the current Europa League.
The Norwegians play very effectively at home, but their attack occasionally struggles on the road: Bodø/Glimt scored more than one goal in only two of their last seven away Europa League matches. At the same time, they rarely allow opponents to create many chances: in this European campaign, Kjetil Knutsen's side conceded more than one goal only to Manchester United away.
I do not expect this encounter to be high-scoring. My prediction: Total under 3.5 goals
