AZ Alkmaar vs Bodo Glimt Predictions

• Fifteen of AZ Alkmaar’s 16 Eredivisie victories this season also produced over 2.5 total goals.
• The main selection won in four of AZ’s last seven matches.
• Bodo/Glimt’s UECL group games averaged 3.2 total goals per-match.
• Just one of Bodo’s seven UECL host sides stopped them from scoring this season.

A mature performance is needed from the ‘cheese heads’

Despite the giant-killing tendencies of Bodo/Glimt, AZ are expected to provide more than a stern test for Bodo this time around, albeit having lost the first leg.

AZ were granted immediate access to the round of 16 after their group stage endeavours and they have lost just three times across the 15 competitive games since then (W12, D1, L3).

Only two Eredivisie sides saw more of their league games produce over 2.5 goals than AZ’s 18 (69%) and that could easily transfer into the Conference League given that they must now go hammer and tong for a handicap-busting win to avoid extra time and dreaded penalties.

Can Bodo/Glimt’s dream continue?

After knocking Celtic out of the Conference League, Bodo/Glimt have already made history in their small town in Norway. They have then followed that up with a shocking success over AZ in the first-leg, but their exploits so far certainly inspired confidence in this side.

They will hope that win can be a springboard for further success, and punters know by now that it is foolish to back against the Norwegians grabbing a goal or two after they have now scored 17 goals this season against European stalwarts Celtic, Roma and AZ.

This game has all the hallmarks of an exciting affair between two hungry sides, I predict that we will see an AZ side desperate for a win come flying out of the traps. However that could leave them open at the back so we are backing this selection in the “win and over 2.5 goals” market.