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NEC Nijmegen are bidding to qualify for the Champions League proper for the first time in their history when they take on Bodo/Glimt in the first leg at the Goffertstadion on Wednesday night.
The Dutch side overcame Olympiacos 2-1 after extra-time in the previous round, and should they prevail over two legs here, they will reach Europe's elite competition.
Bodo surprised everyone with their journey to the last 16 of the Champions League in 2025/26, and after beating Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 6-5 on aggregate in the last round, the Norwegians will be aiming to qualify again.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
NEC Nijmegen vs. Bodo/Glimt key stats
- NEC have win their last two games in all competitions.
- Bodo have won seven of their eight matches this season (D1).
- NEC have won the first leg just once in their previous seven European ties (D3, L3).
NEC Nijmegen vs. Bodo/Glimt preview: Nothing to separate sides?
NEC vs Bodo/Glimt — Tale of the Tape
| NEC | vs | Bodo/Glimt |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (Eredivisie) | Position | 1st (Eliteserien) |
| 3 | Points | 41 |
| 5 | Goals For | 43 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 12 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 10 |
| 10th | Home / Away Rank | 1st |
Not only have NEC never qualified for the Champions League before, but this is their first time in qualifying altogether.
Dick Schreuder has already made history in that case as manager, having guided them to an impressive third-placed finish in the Eredivisie last season ahead of the likes of FC Twente and Ajax.
NEC did make a poor start to their league campaign though, losing 2-1 at home to Telstar, although they did thrash Willem II 4-1 on away soil last time out.
Sami Ouaissa and Philippe Sandler are ruled out with injuries sustained in the last qualifying round, while Yassin Moslih and Perr Schuurs are also on the treatment table and could be joined by Koki Ogawa.
Jostein Gundersen also got injured for Bodo in the previous round and so is a doubt here, while Hakon Evjen, August Mikkelsen and Isak Sjong are all ruled out.
After losing out on the Eliteserien title by one point, the Norwegians lost star striker Kasper Hogh to Celtic this summer, but Kjetil Knutsen remains in charge with the aim of guiding them back to the summit.
That one-point gap to Viking is the same gap in the Eliteserien this time around, although Bodo are leading the way after 17 games played.
Having impressively reached the round of 16 in the Champions League last season though, the visitors will need to juggle top-tier European football with their domestic campaign again, should they get past NEC.
NEC Nijmegen vs. Bodo/Glimt form guide & betting tips
| NEC | vs | Bodo/Glimt |
|---|---|---|
LDLWW |
Form | WWDWW |
| 8 | Goals For | 15 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 6 |
DW |
Champions League | DW |
Whispers predicts: NEC Nijmegen 2-2 Bodo/Glimt
NEC are 17/11 (2.55) favourites to win, but given Bodo's superior form, we fancy them to get a result.
We fancy a Draw at 3/1 (4.00), with Over 3.5 goals at 15/13 (2.15) which came through in both of Bodo's matches in the last qualifying round.
In terms of player bets, Andreas Helmersen netted the winner for Bodo against USG to score in successive appearances, and so Helmersen to score anytime at 15/8 (2.88) is our final pick.
Overall, we a re predicting a 2-2 draw, which can be backed at 10/1 (11.00).
> Over 3.5 goals at 15/13 (2.15) | Likelihood: Possible
> Helmersen to score anytime at 15/8 (2.88) | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw at 3/1 (4.00) | Likelihood: Outsider