Champions League debutants Bodo/Glimt will look to move one step closer towards reaching the last-16 when they welcome Inter Milan to the Aspmyra Stadion on Wednesday.
Confidence will be high in both camps heading into their upcoming clash, with a combined one defeat in 16 outings since the turn of the year.
Match preview
Bodo/Glimt have had one of the most meteoric rises by a club in recent history, but the Champions League was proving to be a step too far ahead as they went winless across their first six outings.
With games against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid left to wrap up their group-stage campaign, Kjetil Knutsen’s men were in the lower echelons of the standings and set for an early exit.
However, the Norwegian side pulled off two unexpected wins eight days apart to move up to 23rd place, extending their European journey by at least two games.
Bodo/Glimt’s reward for their wins over Man City and Atletico is yet another high-profile clash against Inter Milan, and Wednesday’s hosts can draw confidence from their recent giant killings.
A perfect start of 12 points from the first 12 available had Inter on course to secure a top-eight finish.
However, defeats in their next three outings jeopardised any chance of automatic qualification for the last 16, despite a 2-0 triumph over Borussia Dortmund to conclude group-stage proceedings.
Aiming to go one better than their run to the final last time out, Cristian Chivu’s men will first have to see off a tricky Bodo/Glimt side.
They will be up for it off the back of a sixth straight win across all competitions last time out in Saturday’s clash against Juventus.
The Nerazzurri have also won eight consecutive away matches leading up to Wednesday’s clash, following a 2-1 defeat to Atletico in November.
Team news
Sondre Fet is currently sidelined and is a huge doubt to play any part for Bodo/Glimt here alongside Ulrik Saltnes.
After going on a 10-game goal drought either side of the new year, Kasper Hogh has scored five goals in his last three outings.
Denzel Dumfries (ankle) is Inter’s only injury concern for this one, as he awaits a first appearance since November.
Racking up nine direct goal contributions in his side’s last five games, Federico Dimarco is proving to be a potent source of attacking threat from left wing-back, making him one to look out for.
Bodo/Glimt Predicted XI (4-3-3): Haikin; Bjorkan, Gundersen, Bjortuft, Sjovold; Maatta, Berg, Evjen; Hauge, Hogh, Blomberg.
Inter Milan Predicted XI (3-5-2): Sommer; Bastoni, Akanji, Bisseck; Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Sucic, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez.
Prediction: Bodo/Glimt 1-2 Inter Milan.
