2021-22 UEFA Europa Conference League: Knockout Play-Offs – BodØ/Glimt vs Celtic

BodØ/Glimt welcome Celtic to Aspmyra Stadion in the second leg of their knockout play-off tie in 2021-22 UEFA Europa Conference League. 

BodØ/Glimt enter this leg with a 3-1 lead from the first leg which means that victory, draw or defeat by a one goal margin would see them through.

Celtic meanwhile must score at least three goals to stand any chance of progressing to the Round of 16.

 

Team News

BodØ/Glimt have no fresh injury concerns to report but Nikita Khaikin is suspended, after he picked up his third yellow card of the tournament during the first leg.

Celtic will be without Karamoko Dembele despite the 18 year-old nearing a return from an ankle injury after he was left behind at the club’s training base.

Mikey Johnston, David Turnbull and Kyogo Furuhashi (all hamstring) remain absent, whilst Albian Ajeti’s future is in doubt after he fell down the pecking order.

 

Stat Attack

• BodØ/Glimt won their only previous meeting against Celtic – prevailing 3-1 in the first leg at Celtic Park last week.
• Celtic are visiting BodØ/Glimt for the very first time in all UEFA competitions.
• BodØ/Glimt are hosting Scottish opposition at home for the very first time across all UEFA competitions.
• Six of BodØ/Glimt’s 11 goals at home during the Group Stage were scored by Ola Solbakken and Erik Botheim, who both scored three goals apiece.
• Josip Juranovic and Jota have scored two goals apiece across Celtic’s last three away matches in Europe.

 

Prediction

Despite being outclassed in the attacking stats, BodØ/Glimt were simply clinical in their attacks last week and can afford to relax a bit now they hold a 3-1 lead, yet they will again need to be clinical because Celtic will be eager to produce a reaction here.

Celtic though just need to be more clinical here but their defence needs to be more focused in terms of handling one-touch passes and closing gaps down, which both proved pivotal factors in their downfall last week.

This though feels like a tie on the verge of being over but if Celtic score first and are better in finishing their chances, I can see them winning this game at minimum.

Prediction: BodØ/Glimt 1-2 Celtic

Result: BodØ/Glimt 2-0 Celtic (BodØ/Glimt win 5-1 on aggregate!!)