Bodø/Glimt vs Spurs: Europa League Semi-Final Preview

Tottenham were fast out of the blocks at home last week, with Brennan Johnson’s lightning-quick opener inside 38 seconds setting the tone. Further strikes from James Maddison and Dominic Solanke gave the Premier League side a commanding cushion before Ulrik Saltnes' late reply restored a measure of hope for the Norwegian champions. That goal could prove pivotal, especially given Bodo/Glimt’s formidable home record.

While Spurs have their eyes on a first European final since 2019, their domestic form has been woeful. Ange Postecoglou’s men have lost 19 of their 35 Premier League games this season and sit languishing in 16th place. A 1-1 draw at West Ham last weekend ended a run of three consecutive defeats, but questions continue to swirl around the team’s consistency, particularly away from home. Spurs have managed just two wins in their last 10 road games across all competitions, though one of those was a gritty 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals, which ultimately booked their spot in the last four.

Bodo/Glimt, meanwhile, have relished the underdog tag throughout their European journey. Although they have lost seven of their last 11 Europa League away matches, their home form has been a different story. Knutsen’s men have won each of their last five Europa League home ties, netting 15 goals in that stretch, and memorably dumped Lazio out in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory before prevailing on penalties. Their overall home streak is even more impressive—eight straight wins in all competitions, including two comfortable 3-0 wins to open their domestic Eliteserien campaign.

In head-to-head terms, last week’s result marked Tottenham’s second victory in as many meetings with Bodo/Glimt and extended the London club’s perfect record against Norwegian opposition. No English side has ever lost a competitive match at Aspmyra Stadion, though Bodo/Glimt have yet to claim a victory against any English club in five attempts.

Statistically, Tottenham can take heart from Europa League history. Since the competition's rebrand in 2009-10, just nine teams out of 92 have failed to progress after winning the first leg at home by two or more goals. Spurs have also advanced in 18 of their 21 previous UEFA knockout ties when leading after the first leg.

Injury news paints a mixed picture for both teams. Tottenham will be without James Maddison, who sustained a knee injury in the first leg and is set to miss the remainder of the season. Radu Dragusin (ACL) and Lucas Bergvall (ankle) are also ruled out. There’s cautious optimism that Dominic Solanke (thigh) and Son Heung-min (foot) could feature after returning to training, while Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert are potential options in attack. Dejan Kulusevski is expected to take on creative duties in midfield alongside Rodrigo Bentancur, with Postecoglou likely to stick to the back four that started the first leg.

For Bodo/Glimt, Daniel Bassi remains sidelined, but the return of key players Patrick Berg, Hakon Evjen, and Andreas Helmersen from suspension is a major boost. Berg and Evjen are likely to bolster the midfield alongside Saltnes, while Helmersen is expected to provide depth from the bench. Kasper Høgh—joint top scorer in this season’s Europa League with seven goals—will spearhead the attack, supported by either Isak Dybvik Maatta or Jens Petter Hauge out wide.

With history within reach for both sides—Tottenham aiming to end a 17-year trophy drought and Bodo/Glimt dreaming of becoming the first Norwegian men’s side to reach a European final—Thursday’s showdown promises to be a compelling contest in Arctic conditions.