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

A Kirk Millar strike got the job done for the Northern Irish champions in a first leg shock, and either Zalgiris or Malmo will await the victors in the third round.

Match preview

Away days in Europe have not been kind to Bodo/Glimt so far, as they very nearly let a 3-0 lead slip in their first-round qualifying battle with KI before just about managing to progress 4-3 on aggregate.

The Norwegian champions have not been able to quickly find the formula for success on unfamiliar turf, as Millar struck with 83 minutes on the clock in last week's first leg to hand Linfield an unexpected slender advantage ahead of Wednesday's second leg.

Kjetil Knutsen's side went out with a point to prove on Saturday in Eliteserien action on Saturday against Jerv and thrashed the relegation candidates 5-0, although Molde and Lillestrom are still out of sight as they desperately try to claw their way back into the title race.

By reaching the second round of Champions League qualifying, Bodo/Glimt - who went out to Roma in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals last year - have already achieved their best-ever finish in the continent's premier tournament, and their home form makes for pleasant reading for Knutsen.

Indeed, Bodo/Glimt have won four straight matches on their own turf in all competitions - scoring 14 goals and conceding just one in the process - but the visitors ought to play without fear in front of the Nordic crowd.

An impressive green streak has also come the way of Linfield over the summer, as David Healy's side have been navigating friendlies and Champions League commitments with aplomb since the start of the month.

Linfield needed extra time to see off the New Saints 2-1 on aggregate in the first round of Champions League qualifying, but the 56-time Northern Irish champions could now reach the third round of qualifying for the first time in their history.

In its current format, Linfield have never progressed beyond the second round of Champions League qualifying - being eliminated from that stage on four previous occasions - and they made the first round proper of the 1993-94 tournament before being sent packing by Copenhagen.

Healy's side picked up their fifth win on the bounce in all competitions on Saturday, beating Loughgall 2-0 in a friendly, but out of their 18 away matches in Champions League qualifying, only three have ended in victory.

Bodo/Glimt Champions League form:

Bodo/Glimt form (all competitions):

Linfield Champions League form:

Linfield form (all competitions):

Team News

Bodo/Glimt defender Brice Wembangomo was only able to complete the first 45 minutes of the 5-0 thumping against Kerv on Saturday, but he is not reported to be carrying anything serious and should be fine for this one.

The same cannot be said for attacker Ola Solbakken, who is still absent with a shoulder injury, so Sondre Sorli will expect to get the nod on the right-hand side this week.

Amahl Pellegrino only came on as a substitute in the first leg, but after netting a hat-trick on Saturday, the 32-year-old will surely come into the first XI alongside Victor Boniface.

Meanwhile, Linfield have not reported any fresh concerns since the first leg, although talented 16-year-old midfielder Cormac Austin has joined Premier League side Crystal Palace.

Healy seemingly has no reason to alter a winning formula, but Linfield will continue to cope without Joel Cooper (calf), and Jimmy Callacher is also set to miss out for the visitors.

Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:

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

Linfield possible starting lineup:

Johns; Finlayson, Hall, Roscoe, Clarke; Mulgrew, Shields, Fallon; Millar, McDaid, Stewart

We say: Bodo/Glimt 3-0 Linfield (Bodo/Glimt win 3-1 on aggregate)

We made the mistake of underestimating Linfield in the first leg, but Bodo/Glimt performed with a vengeance in league action at the weekend and will be fired up to complete an expected turnaround this week.

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