Europa League

2025-05-01 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Bodo-Glimt

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Tottenham Hotspur v Bodo/Glimt
Football: UEFA Europa League Semi Final First Leg
Thursday 1st May 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV

Tottenham Hotspur

Fans continue to be incredibly disgruntled after what has been a very poor Premier League season and it seems certain that Ange Postecoglou will part with the club at the end of the campaign. The 5-1 thumping at Anfield on Sunday did little to impress, but Tottenham Hotspur fans would be foolish to think the team and the staff are going to prioritise the League over Europe as we move into May.

Much like the other English participant in the Europa League, Tottenham Hotspur have long focused on winning this trophy and knocking off two birds with one stone. It has been far too long since the club won anything, while success in the Europa League would also see Tottenham Hotspur rejoin the elite of European competition in the Champions League next season. The battling win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Quarter Final should just give the fans something to believe in, even if the manager is not one of those things.

Tottenham Hotspur have won 1 of their last 5 games in all competitions, but that was the 0-1 win in Germany that took them through to the Europa League Quarter Final. Premier League form has been miserable, but Spurs have won 4 of their last 6 Europa League ties, while they are unbeaten in 6 at home in the competition this season.

Heung-Min Son is a doubt and the manager made a host of changes to the starting eleven on Sunday with this fixture in mind.

Bodo/Glimt

They may not have the European pedigree of some of the top clubs participating in UEFA competition, but this is the fourth year in a row that Bodo/Glimt have made it through to the Knock Out Rounds of a European competition. Most would have felt that matching the 2022 Europa League Quarter Final run would be an incredible achievement, but Bodo/Glimt have surpassed that after upsetting Lazio in the Quarter Final.

It was Roman rivals Roma that beat Bodo/Glimt in the Quarter Final three years ago, but the Norwegian Champions managed to fight their way to Penalties before upsetting Lazio last month. No one can take away what Bodo/Glimt have already achieved, but they want more and the First Leg of this Semi Final feels very important. The side have actually lost 4 of their last 5 away Europa League games, including all 3 in the Knock Out Rounds, so the task is to make sure there is all to play for next week back at home on an awkward surface.

Bodo/Glimt have lost 1 of their last 8 games in all competitions as they have begun the domestic campaign which is played through the summer in Norway. They have won 2 of their last 4 away games in all competitions, although it is clear that playing in the Europa League is a considerable upwards step for Bodo/Glimt having conceded twice in defeats at Twente, Olympiacos and Lazio in the last three Rounds.

Andreas Helmersen scored the goal that took the Quarter Final into Penalties, but he was sent off in Rome and will be suspended.

Head to Head

This is the first time these two clubs are meeting in a competitive fixture.

Prediction

You have to believe that all of the pressure in this Europa League Semi Final is on Tottenham Hotspur, who have been set as strong favourites to reach the Final in Bilbao later in the month.

That pressure can weigh heavy on players and the Tottenham Hotspur crowd have to play their part in this one.

There has clearly been a falling out between those in the stands and Ange Postecoglou, but it is key for all to rally behind the cause in what has been a miserable campaign all things considered. The Premier League form has been embarrassing and you have to think that a managerial change would have been made if Tottenham Hotspur had not progressed in the Europa League.

Now the feeling is that Postecoglou will be Sacked even if Tottenham Hotspur were to win the Europa League, but neither the manager nor the fans can think beyond Wednesday 21st May. That is the date that could help things turn around very quickly for Tottenham Hotspur if they are back in the fruitful environment of Champions League Football and it is the only task left for this squad.

Credit has to be given to Spurs for the way they battled past Eintracht Frankfurt, while it is clear that they have to respect the opponent in front of them.

Not many would have picked Bodo/Glimt to beat Twente or Olympiacos in the Knock Out Rounds and even fewer would have had them moving past Lazio in the Quarter Final. Home advantage is huge for the Norwegian Champions when playing on a surface that many footballers will not have experienced, but the key in this Semi Final is returning home with all to play for.

Simply put, Bodo/Glimt have not been as good away from home and they have lost 4 of their last 5 away Europa League games, including all 3 in the Knock Out Rounds. They were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United in the League Phase, but that performance will offer some encouragement considering Tottenham Hotspur are actually lower than United in the Premier League standings.

For all of their problems, Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed playing in the Europa League and this is a team that has created a lot of chances, especially at home. That does give them the edge and this First Leg is all about moving into a strong enough position to protect in the Second Leg next week.

Tottenham Hotspur have not always been an easy team to trust, but if they produce a similar level of performance as they have in the last two Rounds, you have to believe they have the scoring power to earn a significant lead to defend when travelling to Norway.