At least two second-half goals have been scored in NEC Nijmegen’s last two games
At least two second-half goals have been scored in Bodo/Glimt’s last six matches
Recommended Bet: Over 1.5 2nd Half Goals @ 13/20
NEC Nijmegen face the final hurdle in their quest to play in the Champions League when they meet last season's surprise package, Bodo/Glimt, in the play-off round first leg on Wednesday.
Seventeen years after their last appearance in Europe, and fresh from a shock third‑place finish in the Eredivisie, Dick Schreuder's side now stand one step away from the league phase.
After a goalless first leg of their third qualifying round tie against Olympiacos in Greece, NEC edged the return 2‑1 thanks to Emre Mor's extra‑time winner.
They warmed up for this meeting with a 4‑1 league win over Willem II, but now they will face a sterner test against the Norwegian league leaders, who beat Atletico Madrid, Manchester City and Inter Milan, the latter twice, in last season's competition.
Kjetil Knutsen's side also needed extra time to get past Union Saint‑Gilloise, winning 6‑5 on aggregate after Andreas Helmersen's 117th‑minute strike.
The latest NEC Nijmegen vs Bodo/Glimt odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team News
NEC are without forwards Koki Ogawa and Sami Ouaissa, while centre‑backs Philippe Sandler and Perr Schuurs remain sidelined.
Mor looks set to start on the right instead of Ouaissa, with defender Brayann Pereira the probable replacement for Sandler at the heart of a back three.
Serbian creator Dusan Tadic, who has hit double‑figure assists in eight straight seasons, will link up with veteran captain Tjaronn Chery behind striker Bryan Linssen.
Bodo/Glimt look likely to turn to Helmersen up front after selling last season's top scorer Kasper Hogh to Celtic in the summer.
Ola Brynhildsen, who started the second leg of the Union SG tie, could make way unless Knutsen springs a surprise by including him instead of Ole Blomberg or Jens Petter Hauge in attack.
Captain Patrick Berg anchors a solid midfield, albeit one without injured Hakon Evjen, who is out until September.
Haitam Aleesami will start alongside Odin Bjortuft in central defence with Jostein Gundersen out through injury.
The Stats
NEC are competing in Europe for the first time since 2009
Bodo/Glimt have reached the knockout rounds of a European competiton for five straight seasons
Glimt have scored at least twice in nine of their last 10 European games
NEC have won back‑to‑back matches after losing their league opener
Glimt are unbeaten in their last 13 matches with nine wins and four draws
At least two goals have been scored in the last six of the Norwegian side's matches
The latest NEC Nijmegen vs Bodo/Glimt odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
This tie feels more daunting for NEC than the last one, with Bodo/Glimt's away record in Europe looking far stronger than Olympiacos'.
The Norwegians beat the Greek side 4-2 over two legs in the Europa League last year and have since earned 2-2 draws at Slavia Prague and Borussia Dortmund, as well as the 2-1 win in Madrid.
Multiple second-half goals were a feature in the majority of their European games at home and away over the past couple of years and the trend should continue at Goffertstadion.
At least two goals have been scored after the break in NEC's last two matches as well as the last half dozen of Bodo/Glimt's domestic and European assignments.
Score prediction: NEC Nijmegen 2‑2 Bodo/Glimt
