Bodo/Glimt have won four Champions League matches in a row, including versus Man City and Inter
Sporting have failed to win any of their last 15 European away knockout games
Recommended Bet: Bodø/Glimt to Win
Bodo/Glimt’s remarkable Champions League debut campaign continues on Wednesday when they host Sporting Lisbon at Aspmyra in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
The Norwegian champions stunned last season’s runners‑up Inter Milan in the knockout play‑offs, winning both legs, while Sporting progressed directly after finishing seventh in the league phase.
Glimt’s rise has been one of the stories of the season, and with the Arctic conditions, a synthetic pitch and a fiercely partisan crowd behind them, Kjetil Knutsen’s side will believe they can take another major scalp this week.
Sporting arrived a day earlier than most other European opponents and are in strong domestic form after a 2-2 draw at Braga on Saturday, but their European away record remains a major concern.
Team news
Bodo/Glimt have no injury or suspension issues with everybody available. Midfielder Sondre Auklend, who scored both goals in their 2-1 cup win over Molde last Thursday, is likely to make way for the return of San Siro matchwinner Hakon Evjen.
Knutsen is expected to stick with the same XI that beat Inter home and away, which means Kasper Hogh starts up front alongside wingers Jens Petter Hauge and Ole Didrik Blomberg.
The trio have combined for nine goals in Glimt’s last four European outings.
Sporting, meanwhile, are without suspended duo Pedro Goncalves and Maximiliano Araujo, while Geovany Quenda, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Ricardo Mangas and Fotis Ioannidis remain injury doubts.
Luis Suarez, who has scored in five consecutive matches, will lead the line, supported by Francisco Trincao and Luis Guilherme with head coach Rui Borges expected to retain his 4‑2‑3‑1 setup despite the absences.
The stats
Bodo/Glimt have won 12 of their last 17 European home matches.
The Norwegian champions have scored two or more goals in eight of their 10 games in the Champions League proper.
Glimt are unbeaten in nine straight games in all competitions (W7, D2).
Sporting have not won an away knockout match in Europe since 2005 (D6, L9).
They lost two of their four away league‑phase matches but have only failed to score in one of their last 14 European road trips.
Hauge has scored three goals in his last two Champions League home games.
Suarez has scored in five consecutive appearances for Sporting.
The latest Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting Lisbon odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Glimt’s home form in Europe has become a defining feature of their rise, and after beating Manchester City and Inter in their last two Champions League matches at Aspmyra, they will not fear Sporting.
The visitors have the technical quality to dominate spells of possession, but their long‑standing struggles away from home in Europe — combined with key suspensions and an unusual playing surface — make this a difficult assignment.
Knutsen’s side play with intensity, cohesion and belief, and the Arctic conditions only enhance their advantage.
Sporting should contribute to an entertaining contest, but Glimt’s momentum and home strength give them the edge.
A 2-1 home victory looks a realistic outcome as the Norwegian champions aim to take a lead to Lisbon.
Back Bodo/Glimt to Win at 7/5 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting Lisbon odds are available on LiveScore Bet
