European NAP: Back Bodo to overcome tired travellers

EUROPEAN football fanatic Mark O'Haire (@MarkOHaire) heads to Norway on Sunday for his latest best bet on the continent.

Bodo-Glimt v Haugesund | Sunday 2nd November 2019, 17:00

With four rounds of fixtures still to be played in Norway, Bodo/Glimt haven’t yet given up the challenge of taking their maiden domestic title. The Nordland outfit enjoyed top spot in the Eliteserien at the midway stage of the season before being usurped by Molde following a frustrating spell of W2-D6-L1 in their most recent nine outings.

However, Molde’s shock loss to Rosenborg has opened the door to Kjetil Knutsen’s charges, especially so with Glimt travelling to the table-toppers on the final day of the campaign. And so there’s plenty still to play for and reasons to be positive too after Bodo produced a fine performance on Monday during a 1-1 draw at Brann.

Of course, on paper it looks like two more points dropped by the Superlaget but Bodo were desperately unfortunate not to take top honours when a late legitimate goal was wrongly chalked off by the linesmen. Glimt comfortably won all the major performance data metrics in Brann and a repeat display here on Sunday really should reward home backers.

The hosts have been a breath of fresh air in the Eliteserien this term with their fast-paced, all-action, attacking football thrilling Norwegian fans, and I don’t expect the Superlaget to change tact now. Bodo have already bagged W9-D3-L1 at their Aspmyra Stadion base and no top-flight side has scored more home goals than Knutsen’s troops’ tally of 34.

The Glimt gang have notched at least twice in 10 of those 13 outings, struck three times or more on seven occasions and also overcome a one-goal handicap in seven Aspmyra Stadion showdowns in 2019. All 14 of Bodo’s triumphs this term have come alongside Over 1.5 Goals and that’s the angle that appeals again at kind 5/6 (Betway) quotes on Sunday.

Distracted travellers can be opposed

It’s easy to dismiss Bodo/Glimt here based solely on their recent run of results, although it’s worth considering the schedule that Haugesund have to overcome ahead of this meeting. The visitors are already safety nestled in mid-table of the Eliteserien with their full focus on Thursday night’s cup semi-final contest against Odd in Bergen.

FKH have only once reached the NM Cup showpiece and with little left to play for in league matters, boss Jostein Grindhaug has made no secret of investing everything into the final-four fixture. Whatever the outcome, Haugesund will have less than 72 hours to get home, rested and prepared for the long journey north to face a hugely-motivated Bodo outfit.

Grindhaug simply doesn’t possess the resources to make sweeping changes to his squad for Sunday and that could prove problematic against an all-energy home side desperate for the points. FKH have recorded three league clean sheets in 17 and look well worth opposing this weekend considering their hectic schedule, regardless of Thursday evening’s result.