Bodø/Glimt v PSV Eindhoven

Losing because of a late goal last week, 1-2 away to FC Zurich means that Bodø/Glimt can’t now qualify for the next round of the Europa League. They had to be aggressive and take risks because PSV surprisingly beat Arsenal 2-0 in the other group match. PSV are now qualified and could win the group with a victory here, combined with an Arsenal failure vs Zurich. From a Bodø/Glimt perspective they now have to try and finish third which would be a drop down to the Europa Conference League. They are guaranteed 3rd whatever, as long as there isn’t a shock result in London with Zurich prevailing.

Nevertheless, the only way that Glimt can be assured of third position in the group is with a victory. There are coefficient points and prize money at stake, along with a proud European home record which has seen them win 14 of their last 15 matches at Aspmyra Stadion. Arsenal beat them here last time out 0-1, but it was a good performance, and, on another day, they might have drawn or even won that fixture. Bodø/Glimt head into this match on the back of a disappointing 2-3 defeat vs Rosenborg at the weekend.

PSV beat NEC 3-0 at the weekend and currently sit second in the Dutch Eredivisie behind Ajax. They will be pleased to have confirmed qualification from this group and still have a chance to take the top spot. The reverse fixture between these teams resulted in a 1-1 draw which was an end to end type of match and very exciting. A similar sort of match is to be expected here and PSV are usually an attack minded team who will certainly try to win the match. There were over 25 shots when these two played against each other in the Netherlands and the xG was 1.64 vs 1.24. It was one of those fixtures which deserved to go over 2.5 but somehow stayed under.

It is definitely the goals market which catches the eye again with over 2.5 available to back at odds of 1.50, which seems perfectly acceptable. In all competitions, 7 of the last 10 PSV games have all contained at least 3 goals. It is similar with Bodø/Glimt with 8 of their last 10 all ending over 2.5. There is plenty of attacking firepower in each squad who can hit the back of the net.

This group has been surprisingly low scoring at times, but the state of play should surely dictate an open match. Both teams need to win in order to have a chance of achieving their respective aims and ambitions, Of course, if the result in London is obviously heading towards an easy Arsenal win, then there is a chance the latter stages of this game could slow down into a tame finish. The way that each of the managers Kjetil Knutsen & Ruud van Nistelrooy like their teams to play should ensure that this is an entertaining affair though.

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