Preview: Bodo/Glimt vs. FK Zalgiris - prediction, team news, lineups

The teams play out the first leg of their tie in the Norwegian champions' Arctic Circle home, with the winners after next week's return in Vilnius advancing to the playoff round - the losers will slip into the Europa League.

Match preview

Having survived a scare against KI Klaksvik to advance 4-3 on aggregate from the first qualifying round, Bodo/Glimt trailed 1-0 from the first leg of their tie with Linfield before last week's decider in Norway.

Seemingly determined to reach the group stage the hard way, the Eliteserien champions had nearly thrown away a commanding lead against their Faroese counterparts, and were in some trouble after losing at Windsor Park in the second round.

Kjetil Knutsen's men brushed aside any concerns of elimination, though, as they drew level on aggregate after only seven minutes at Aspmyra Stadion before going on to rack up eight unanswered goals - including braces for Amahl Pellegrino and Runar Espejord.

By reaching this stage of Champions League qualifying, Glimt - who ultimately went out to Roma in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals after an absorbing four-game tussle with the Giallorossi last term - have already achieved their best result in the continent's top tournament.

However, Knutsen will be keen for them to take the penultimate step towards the promised land by coming out on top against Zalgiris, who they now host having consistently excelled on home soil.

A force to be reckoned with in the Conference League at their headquarters inside the Arctic Circle, Glimt have won five straight matches on their own turf - scoring 22 goals and conceding just one in the process.

Den Gule Horde thrashed Jerv 5-0 there last week, before beating Aalesund 2-1 away at the weekend, as they seek to rein in the Eliteserien's current top two, Molde and Lillestrom, and rejoin the title race.

By contrast, Zalgiris sit at the summit of their domestic league ahead of the long trip north, despite being permitted to skip fixtures as their Champions League journey continues.

Still a point clear, and now with games in hand on their closest rivals, the Lithuanian A Lyga champions led 1-0 from the first leg of their second qualifying round tie against strong favourites Malmo, who took part in the group stage last season.

They then defied the odds and most observers' pre-match expectations on Wednesday night, securing an improbable 2-0 victory in Sweden to seal progress - taking one step closer to their aim of qualifying for the Champions League group stage for the very first time.

Vladimir Cheburin's side have enjoyed a fine run of form since the turn of the year, losing just two of their last 26 matches in all competitions. They also boast a strong away record: going unbeaten throughout their last 16 games on the road, with their most recent defeat dating back to September.

Bodo/Glimt Champions League form:

Bodo/Glimt form (all competitions):

FK Zalgiris Champions League form:

FK Zalgiris form (all competitions):

Team News

With an attacking unit currently in top form, Bodo/Glimt will again rely on Victor Boniface to lead their front three this week - a first-leg hat-trick against KI Klaksvik and scoring both goals in the win at Aalesund being among the highlights of a productive season for the Nigerian striker.

As Ola Solbakken is still absent with a shoulder injury, Sondre Sorli should get the nod on the right wing, and Amahl Pellegrino - who has netted five times in his last three games - will surely also feature in the starting XI.

Given the luxury of having no league commitments while their European campaign continues, Zalgiris are unlikely to make many changes, if any, to the starting lineup which started in Sweden last time out.

A back four of Joel Bopesu, Mario Pavelic, Nemanja Ljubisavljevic and Petar Mamic is therefore set to remain intact, though veteran Lithuania defender Saulius Mikoliunas offers another option on the right.

Up front, Brazilian striker Renan Oliveira - who has registered eight league goals in 13 appearances since arriving in March, and also scored against Malmo - is set to lead the line with Mathias Oyewusi, while Fabian Ourega and Oliver Buff provide support from the flanks.

Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:

Haikin; Wembangomo, Amundsen, Hoibraten, Sampsted; Saltnes, Hagen, Vetlesen; Sorli, Boniface, Pellegrino

FK Zalgiris possible starting lineup:

Gertmonas; Bopesu, Ljubisavljevic, Pavelic, Mamic; Buff, Milickovic, Gorobsov, Ourega; Oyewusi, Oliveira

We say: Bodo/Glimt 2-0 FK Zalgiris

Though they have suffered setbacks on the road to the group stage so far, Bodo/Glimt have performed with a swagger in recent matches and should prove particularly tough to beat in front of their own supporters.

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