Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Europa League clash between Union SG and Bodo/Glimt, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Union SG will be looking to bounce back from their opening-matchday defeat when they play host to Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.
In sharp contrast, the visitors are making the trip to Belgium on the back of beginning their campaign in perfect fashion.
Match preview
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On the back of last season’s second-placed finish in the Belgian top flight, the assumption was that Union SG would be back challenging again this time around.
While it remains early days in the campaign, they sit down in eighth position in the standings with just 13 points from their nine fixtures.
Sebastian Pocognoli may have won the Belgian Super Cup since being appointed as head coach, but Union SG are currently on a run of just two wins from their last 10 outings in all competitions.
The most recent of those came on Sunday as they overcame lowly Kortrijk by a 3-0 scoreline, three days on from their Europa League defeat to Fenerbahce.
A 73rd-minute dismissal did not help their cause, yet Les Unionistes must find a way of responding to avoid remaining on the back foot in their bid to qualify for at least the last 24.
From the perspective of Bodo/Glimt, converting a seven-point lead in the Eliterserien may be their priority over the coming months.
Nevertheless, Kjetil Knutsen and his side will also want to take advantage of gaining a foothold in their efforts to enjoy an extended run in this competition.
Bodo/Glimt impressively came from behind to record a 3-2 victory over Porto last week, just three days after they had gone down 4-1 to Norwegian title rivals Brann.
A 4-0 win against 11th-placed Kristiansund has gotten them back on track on that front, but their only other defeat in eight games was their last European outing at Red Star Belgrade.
Union SG Europa League form:
Union SG form (all competitions):
Bodo/Glimt Europa League form:
Bodo/Glimt form (all competitions):
Team News
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Union SG will be forced into at least one alteration courtesy of Kevin Mac Allister‘s sending off at Fenerbahce.
Ross Sykes, who scored a consolation goal in that game, is expected to be brought into the back three by Pocognoli.
Mohammed Fuseini came into the team to score against Kortrijk at the weekend and is an alternative to Kevin Rodriguez in attack.
Bodo/Glimt also have to make a change due to a ban with Isak Dybvik Maatta being dismissed for two yellow cards versus Porto.
Sondre Sorli could be drafted into the team on the right flank, but Philip Zinckernagel is also pushing for a recall in the final third.
Union SG possible starting lineup:
Moris; Sykes, Machida, Burgess; Castro-Montes, Sadiki, Rasmussen, Vanhoutte, Niang; Rodriguez, Ivanovic
Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:
Haikin; Sjovold, Nielsen, Bjortuft, Bjorkan; Evjen, Berg, Saltnes; Sorli, Hogh, Hauge
We say: Union SG 3-1 Bodo/Glimt
Given the profile of the team that they defeated last time out, we cannot ignore that Bodo/Glimt will be full of confidence ahead of this contest. However, home territory for Union SG could prove key, leading us to back a victory for them in an entertaining fixture.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.