Bodo/Glimt vs Sturm Graz Prediction: Tochi to get touchy in Norway

Sturm Graz must navigate a two-legged Uefa Champions League play-off tie with Bodo/Glimt this month if they wish to reclaim their spot in the league phase of the 2025/26 competition. The Austrians travel to Norway for the first leg, which takes place at Aspmyra Stadion on Wednesday (20:00 BST, TNT Sports 5).

Below are my Bodo/Glimt vs Sturm Graz predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Unlike their Austrian counterparts, who only began their Bundesliga campaign on the first day of August, Bodo/Glimt are more than halfway through their Eliteserien season in Norway, with just 11 games remaining.

Match practice won't be a problem for Kjetil Knutsen's side, but injuries to Ole Blomberg, Jostein Gundersen (both thigh) and Brede Moe (back) have reduced his options.

Football Odds

There are also doubts over the availability of Samuel Burakovsky and Mathias Jorgensen (both unspecified).

However, star men Patrick Berg, Kasper Hogh, Jens Hauge and Ulrik Saltnes should all be fit and firing for Wednesday's first leg, and Knutsen could even afford to withdraw Hauge and Saltnes at half-time of last Friday's 5-0 thrashing of Stromsgodset.

Sturm Graz are likely to be without Axel Kayombo (ankle), Daniil Khudyakov (wrist) and Alexandar Borkovic (knee) for the trip to Glimt.

Today's Football Fixtures

The likes of Georgia international Otar Kiteishvili, who bagged a brace in last Saturday's 3-1 win at SV Ried, six days after his opening effort in a 2-1 defeat to SK Rapid Wien, and Scottish right-back Max Johnston, who also struck on the weekend, should start, though.

Bodo/Glimt vs Sturm Graz Odds

Glimt are 3/5 to take a first-leg lead to Austria next week, implying a 62.5% probability of success, while Sturm are 4/1, or a 20% chance, to triumph in Norway. The draw, meanwhile, is priced at 10/3, and both teams to score at 8/15.

Hogh (21/20) heads the anytime goalscorer market, with visiting forward William Boving, who struck 11 league goals last season, offering value at 16/5.

Anytime Goalscorer - Ulrik Saltnes (BOD) @ 11/5

Saltnes has established a reputation as a goalscoring midfielder for Glimt, netting at least nine times in the last six calendar years.

He struck seven times in 27 Eliterserien appearances last season, and has matched that tally in 19 games this term.

The 32-year-old was on the scoresheet twice in six Champions League qualification games last year, and notched three times in 15 Uefa Europa League outings, with all three efforts coming in the knockout phase.

Saltnes bagged a brace in Glimt's 2-0 home victory over Lazio in the quarter-finals on April 10 before scoring their only goal in their 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals on May 1.

The Norwegian has been in solid goalscoring form at Aspmyra Stadion in the last few months, netting three goals in his last eight appearances there, most recently notching in a 7-2 hammering of Valerenga on July 26.

At 11/5, he's a solid price to showcase his talents once again on the European stage.

Player to Receive a Card - Tochi Chukwuani (STU) @ 23/10

Sturm midfielder Tochi Chuukwuani racked up eight yellows and one red in his debut season at the club. The 22-year-old was cautioned six times and sent off once in 27 Bundesliga appearances, and picked up a couple of yellows in seven Champions League outings.

The Danish U21 international has already been booked twice this term, with both cards awarded in Sturm's last two matches.

Chukwuani averaged 1.6 fouls per game in last season's Champions League and has been whistled five times across his last two league appearances, so his disciplinary record is a reflection of his playing style.

Away from home in a crunch European tie on Wednesday, it would be no surprise to see him incur the wrath of the referee again.

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