Bodo Glimt vs Dinamo Zagreb Predictions

• Both teams have scored in three of Bodo Glimt’s last five games, which have produced a total of 22 goals.
• Both teams have scored with at least three goals in seven of Dinamo Zagreb’s last nine games.
• Dinamo Zagreb have won five of their last six away Champions League qualifiers.

Croatians have too much class for Glimt

Dinamo Zagreb have just too much class to suffer the same fate as Bodo Glimt’s previous European opponents in what promises to be a Champions League play-off round first leg with plenty of goalmouth action. The Norwegian champions have been superb in reaching this stage, sweeping KÍ, Linfield and Zalgiris aside with some crushing displays at Aspmyra Stadion.

But Dinamo are a cut above all that and are now well into their domestic campaign, having thrashed nearest rivals Hajduk Split 4-1 with a much-changed line-up at the weekend. Head coach Ante Cacic is yet to taste defeat in 14 games in charge and will be able to select from a fully fit squad when his side travel to Norway.

The Croatian champions reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League two years ago and were only narrowly eliminated by eventual winners Villarreal. Last season’s Champions League qualifying run was halted by surprise packages Sheriff Tiraspol at this stage and the subsequent Europa League campaign saw them exit at the hands of competition specialists Sevilla 3-2 on aggregate.

Knutsen’s side will keep on attacking

They have basically become used to operating at a higher level than Glimt, whose Conference League campaign last term was admirable. The Norwegians aren’t quite at full strength for this clash with star winger Ola Solbakken and 2021 regular Sondre Fet still out while first-choice keeper Nikita Haikin is still struggling with a problem that forced him off in the previous round.

Kjetil Knutsen’s side will come forward and attack – as it is the only way they know – but Dinamo should pick them off in transition or make their own spells of dominance in the game count. Both teams to score looks a likely outcome here given the visitors have not kept many clean sheets this season – but it’s also worth looking at over two goals in the game.

Both teams have scored with at least three goals in seven of Dinamo Zagreb’s last nine games and we can’t see this being any different with a 2-1 away win forecast as the best correct score play.