Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt welcome Latvian title-holders Rigas FS to the Aspmyra Stadion on Tuesday for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie.
The hosts enter the competition at this stage after clinching their fourth Eliteserien crown in five seasons last year. Meanwhile, Rigas FS progressed through the first qualifying round with a commanding 7-0 aggregate victory over Northern Ireland’s Larne.
Team News and Injuries
Bodø/Glimt have concerns over center-back Jostein Gundersen, who suffered a head injury in Friday’s league win against Odd. The defender may be sidelined as a precaution.
Long-term absentees Kasper Høgh, Sondre Sørli and Runar Espejord remain unavailable for selection. However, Brede Moe has returned to the squad and could feature in defense.
For Rigas FS, no major injury worries have been reported ahead of the trip to Norway. Manager Viktors Morozs is expected to name a full-strength lineup.
Predicted Lineups
Bodø/Glimt (4-3-3): Mikkelsen, Berg, Bjørkan, Grønbæk, Saltnes, Moe, Sjøvold, Bjørtuft, Haikin, Wembangomo, Evjen
Rigas FS (4-3-3): Panic, Deocleciano, Markhiev, Ondoa, Lemajic, Balodis, Lipuscek, Diomande, Mares, Ikaunieks, Prenga
Form Guide
Bodø/Glimt have been in imperious form domestically, winning four of their last five Eliteserien matches. Their only defeat came in a shock 2-1 loss to bottom club Sandefjord earlier this month.
The Norwegian side bounced back emphatically on Friday, dispatching Odd 3-1 to maintain their six-point lead atop the league table. August Mikkelsen opened the scoring in that encounter and will be keen to carry that momentum into European action.
Rigas FS arrive in Norway on a seven-match winning streak across all competitions. They’ve been particularly prolific in front of goal, netting 21 times during that run.
The Latvian champions sit four points clear in their domestic league and will be full of confidence after their clinical display against Larne in the previous round.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first-ever meeting between Bodø/Glimt and Rigas FS. The Norwegian side have recent experience against Baltic opposition, having faced Lithuanian club Žalgiris in last season’s Europa Conference League playoffs.
Key Players
Bodø/Glimt’s attack will likely be spearheaded by either Håkon Evjen or Oscar Kapskarmo. The pacy Evjen has been in fine form this season and could cause problems for the Rigas defense.
For the visitors, Ivorian winger Ismael Diomande poses the main goal threat. The 26-year-old has been on a hot streak, netting seven times in his last eight appearances across all competitions.
Where to Watch
The match kicks off at 16:00 BST (17:00 CET) on Tuesday, July 23rd. While no major international broadcasters have confirmed coverage, the game may be available to stream on the clubs’ official platforms or UEFA.tv in select regions.
Viewers from Norway can watch the live match on Direktesport and VG+.
Prediction
Bodø/Glimt’s impressive home record and European pedigree make them favorites, but Rigas FS shouldn’t be underestimated given their recent goal-scoring exploits.
The Norwegian side’s attacking prowess should see them edge a competitive encounter. A 2-1 victory for Bodø/Glimt seems a likely outcome, leaving the tie nicely poised for next week’s return leg in Riga.
Also Read:
