Tottenham take a trip to the Arctic Circle to face familiar opponents Bodo/Glimt in the second week of the Champions League on Tuesday.
‘You don’t face opponents like these in the Champions League was a phrase Spurs fans heard plenty last season after lifting the Europa League title. That run included a semi-final tie with Bodo/Glimt, a club many assumed would never reach the continent’s top stage. Yet here they are, making their Champions League debut after brushing aside Sturm Graz 6-1 on aggregate in the qualifiers.
The Norwegian champions sit second in the Eliteserien at present, just one point off top spot with a game in hand. They showed plenty of grit in their group stage opener, coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Slavia Prague, and followed that up with a league draw before a 3-1 domestic win.
As for Tottenham, Thomas Frank’s side were rescued from a flat performance against Wolves when Joao Palhinha struck in stoppage time to seal a 1-1 draw. The Premier League side did, however, get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start, courtesy of an early own goal in the 1-0 victory over Villarreal.
What time does Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur kick off?
Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur: Head-to-head record
These two clubs know each other from recent memory. Spurs met Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semi-finals last season, coming through both legs comfortably.
The first leg finished 3-1 in north London, and Spurs then went away to Norway and won 2-0, a result made all the sweeter after one of Bodo’s players had suggested their defence would be easy to bypass.
Tottenham team news
Thomas Frank would have been hoping to have strikers Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani available again, but neither were spotted in open training on Monday. Solanke has now had to undergo a minor surgery to fix his stubborn injury.
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There was better news elsewhere, as Yves Bissouma, Kota Takai and Ben Davies returned to training. Only Davies is eligible for this match, however, with Bissouma and Takai not included in the Champions League squad, alongside Mathys Tel.
They join the longer-term absentees Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Radu Dragusin on the sidelines, while Cristian Romero has not travelled to Norway as a precaution.
Bodo/Glimt team news
The Norwegian side are without Ola Brynhildsen, Ole Blomberg and Ulrik Saltness, all of whom are long-term absentees. Two fresh concerns emerged in their last outing, with Brede Moe and Daniel Bassi both picking up injuries and now doubtful for the Spurs clash.
Predicted Tottenham line-up
Vicario, Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence, Sarr, Simons, Bentancur, Kudus, Richarlison, Johnson
Guglielmo Vicario was partly at fault for the goal conceded against Wolves, while Antonin Kinsky impressed in the midweek win over Doncaster, so there is a chance Frank could make a change between the sticks.
Joao Palhinha has played back-to-back 90 minutes and, despite scoring in both games, may be rested, with Pape Sarr likely to come into midfield. Expect Xavi Simons to start in the number 10 role.
Up front, Frank has no choice but to go with Richarlison, whose form has dipped. Wilson Odobert could also come into the side on the left in place of Brennan Johnson.
Our prediction
Tottenham have not won their opening two Champions League fixtures since the 2017-18 campaign. This looks like the perfect chance to put that run to bed.
Richarlison and Xavi Simons both struggled against Wolves, but this trip to Bodo could be the ideal stage for Simons to finally open his Spurs account.
On the artificial pitch, Tottenham’s technical quality should still tell, and Frank’s men have shown a knack for bouncing back strongly after poor displays.