Champions League Preview: Bodø/Glimt Wins All Recent Home Games, Red Star Belgrade Aims to Continue Winning Streak

On August 21 at 3 AM, the first leg of the 2024-25 Champions League playoff round will see Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt host Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade. Both teams have been in commendable form recently. This match will be crucial as it could give one team an advantage in the two-legged playoff round, making it highly anticipated.

Bodø/Glimt has played two rounds of the Champions League qualifiers, eliminating Riga FC with a total score of 7-1 (4-0 in the first leg, 3-1 in the second leg) and eliminating Gżira United with a total score of 5-1 (1-0 in the first leg, 4-1 in the second leg), thus advancing smoothly to the playoff stage. Although Bodø/Glimt lacks a strong striker, they have multiple scoring points, including Håaland, Sørlie, Berg, Saltvik, and Hjelde, who all possess certain scoring abilities.

Bodø/Glimt’s recent form has been good, with eight undefeated matches across two fronts (Norwegian league and Champions League), winning six and drawing two during this period. Playing at home this time, Bodø/Glimt has won all five of their recent home games. Bodø/Glimt has never advanced to the Champions League group stage in their history. Last season, they were eliminated in the playoff stage. If Bodø/Glimt can pass through the playoff stage this time, it will create history for the club, which will undoubtedly fuel their desire to win this match.

Red Star Belgrade is a traditional powerhouse in the Serbian league. Since the start of this season, they have achieved four wins and one draw in the league, remaining undefeated and topping the league table, averaging 3.6 goals per game. Notably, in all four of their victories, they scored at least four goals in each match, demonstrating powerful offensive capabilities.

During this period, players like N’Diaye, Olaiinka, Hwang In-beom, and Ćirkin have shown excellent offensive form. Red Star Belgrade is a regular participant in the Champions League group stage, but last season, they failed to secure a single victory in the group stage, finishing at the bottom and being eliminated. In terms of historical head-to-head records, Red Star Belgrade and Bodø/Glimt have never faced each other before.

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