Prediction: Dinamo Zagreb vs Bodo/Glimt

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 11/4

Bookmaker: 888sport

The UEFA Champions League continues on through the month of August as fans get ready for the full competition to get underway with the big boys entering the conversation. Before that, however, we have the play-off round to get excited about, as a parade of clubs attempt to take a big step forward in their season – including Dinamo Zagreb and Bodo/Glimt who will meet on Wednesday night.

Dinamo Zagreb

Dinamo Zagreb are by far the most dominant side in Croatian football and in many ways, that kind of dominance could prove to be a detriment for them. On the one hand they’re able to pull their foot off of the gas and focus on Europe, but in equal measure, they aren’t given a consistent read as to where their level is at – and at the moment, they’re getting a reality check from their Norwegian counterparts.

Bodo/Glimt

After bursting onto the scene courtesy of their random yet remarkable win over Roma last season, Bodo/Glimt are beginning to show signs of a club that could be on the rise. After winning the league title, they’re once again in the mix this time around – and they’re also in the middle of their domestic campaign. In many ways, that should have helped them prepare quite nicely for their latest European adventure.

Factors to Consider

• In the first leg last week, Bodo/Glimt beat Zagreb 1-0.
• Zagreb have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six games.
• Bodo/Glimt have won five and drawn one of their last six games.
• Zagreb have scored 16 goals and conceded eight in their last six games.
• Bodo/Glimt have scored 20 goals and conceded three in their last six games.

Conclusion

The hosts are going to have a passionate fanbase behind them attempting to spur them on to the group stage, but it just feels to us like this is Bodo/Glimt’s time to really become one of the featured stars of Norwegian football. We expect Zagreb to open the scoring but after the visitors slowly but surely work their way into the game, they’ll score on the counter to leave us with a 1-1 score on the night and a 2-1 aggregate win.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 11/4

Bookmaker: 888sport