CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BETTING PREVIEW - UNION SAINT GILLOISE VS BODO GLIMT

Champions League

2026-08-04 - Union Saint Gilloise vs Bodo Glimt

A Sports Betting Preview by Auls

Union Saint Gilloise vs Bodo Glimt
Football: UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round First Leg
Tuesday 4th August 2026 - Kick Off 7pm

---

Union Saint Gilloise

This is going to be the fifth season in a row that Union Saint Gilloise have competed in European Football, but the home Stadium still does not meet UEFA standards and that means another campaign where they will host in a neutral setting. For the UEFA Qualifiers in August, Union Saint Gilloise will be using the Stadium in Ostende and that is where the European campaign begins on Tuesday.

They entered the Champions League as Belgian Champions last year, but Union Saint Gilloise finished 4 points behind Club Brugge domestically and that means having to negotiate the tougher League Path in the Qualifying Rounds. The side have at least benefited by entering in the Third Qualifying Round, while Union Saint Gilloise will take some real confidence from having won 3 of the 8 Champions League Group fixtures played last year, even if they were beaten in the other 5.

Union Saint Gilloise begin their domestic League campaign this weekend, but they have already earned a measure of revenge over Club Brugge by beating them on Penalties in the Belgian Super Cup. They won the Belgian Cup last year by beating Anderlecht, while Union Saint Gilloise are unbeaten in 14 home games in all competitions and have won 13 of those matches.

Bodo Glimt

In each of the last seven years, Bodo Glimt have finished in the top two of the Norwegian Eliteserien and they have won the title four times in that stretch. Unfortunately for them, Bodo Glimt finished 2nd last season behind Viking and that means having to enter the Champions League in the Third Qualifying Round and also needing to negotiate the tougher 'League Path'.

The club have built up plenty of European experience over the last coupe of seasons having put together a run that ended in the Europa League Semi Final in 2025 and backing that up by reaching the Last 16 of the Champions League last season. That run began by beating Sturm Graz in the Play Off Round of the Qualifiers to enter the Group Stage, while Bodo Glimt earned some huge wins between December and February to put that memorable run together.

Bodo Glimt play in a domestic League that is played through the summer, barring a little break for the World Cup Finals, and they are once again in the midst of a title battle with Viking. The side could not have asked to be in better form having won all 5 competitive fixtures played since the Norwegian top flight restarted after a month break, while Bodo Glimt are unbeaten in 6 away games in all competitions during which time they have won 4 matches.

Scoring five goals in the Champions League meant Bodo/Glimt were always going to find it hard to keep hold of Kasper Hogh and he has been signed by Celtic last week.

Head to Head

These two clubs met in the League Phase of the Europa League in 2024/25 and Union Saint Gilloise were held to a goalless draw at 'home' by Bodo Glimt.

Prediction

After having a taste of playing some of the biggest names in European Football, both Union Saint Gilloise and Bodo Glimt have to negotiate the Champions League Qualifiers to return to the League Phase.

Twelve months ago, they were both Champions of Belgium and Norway respectively, but finishing 2nd in those Leagues means having to come through two tough Qualifiers to take their place alongside some of the best teams in the Confederation.

Out of the two teams, Bodo Glimt have really enjoyed UEFA Football over the last couple of seasons.

Playing in a League that competes in the European summer should mean Bodo Glimt have a slight advantage, even if Kasper Hogh has moved onto Celtic.

Union Saint Gilloise have been very good at home, but they have to continue to play European matches away from their usual Stadium until it meets with UEFA approval. This tie is being hosted in Ostende and that makes things more difficult for the Belgian club, who look a short priced favourite to have a lead to take to Norway next week.

Both had very good moments in the Champions League last season, but Bodo Glimt impressed a bit more and they can repeat the trick of avoiding defeat like they did when last visiting Union Saint Gilloise a little under two years ago. " " ' '

The Pick :

Union Saint Gilloise 1-1 Bodo Glimt

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Bodo Glimt + 0.5 Asian Handicap at 1.75 with Cloudbet