Bodø/Glimt are within touching distance of another Champions League league-phase appearance as they welcome NEC to Aspmyra Stadion for the second leg of their playoff tie on Tuesday.

Kjetil Knutsen’s side returned from the Netherlands with a commanding 3-1 advantage, leaving NEC needing an exceptional performance in northern Norway to keep their Champions League campaign alive.

Bodø/Glimt

Bodø/Glimt arrived in Nijmegen as favourites to progress and justified that status with an impressive first-leg performance.

Goals from Sondre Fet, Andreas Helmersen and Haitam Aleesami secured a 3-1 victory, with Clement Bischoff’s late response providing NEC with their only real encouragement ahead of the return fixture.

The result continued another strong European campaign for Glimt. After reaching the Champions League last 16 last season, they survived a remarkable third qualifying-round tie against Union Saint-Gilloise, eventually progressing 6-5 on aggregate after extra time.

Their European record is becoming increasingly formidable. Glimt have won seven of their last nine continental matches and scored at least twice in 10 of their previous 11.

Aspmyra Stadion only strengthens their position. Knutsen’s team have repeatedly troubled high-quality European opposition on their artificial surface, and NEC must now attack rather than adopt the more cautious approach available to them in the first leg.

Glimt’s domestic form provides further encouragement. They have won six successive Eliteserien matches since the summer break and remain firmly involved in the title race after narrowly losing their crown to Viking last season.

Jostein Gundersen remains a fitness concern after missing the first leg with a thigh injury, while Håkon Evjen is not expected to return from his knee problem until September.

Aleesami should therefore retain his place in central defence if Gundersen remains unavailable, with captain Patrick Berg again controlling midfield.

Helmersen has successfully taken on greater responsibility following Kasper Høgh’s departure to Celtic. He has six league goals this season and has also scored crucial Champions League goals against both Union SG and NEC.

NEC

NEC’s first Champions League campaign is in serious danger of ending at the final qualifying hurdle, but their late goal in Nijmegen at least gives them something to pursue.

Even reaching this stage represents significant progress for a club competing in Europe for only the fifth time and making its first continental appearance since 2009.

Their surprise third-place Eredivisie finish last season earned entry into Champions League qualifying, and NEC demonstrated their ability to overcome difficult situations in the previous round.

After holding Olympiacos to a goalless draw in Greece, Schreuder’s team secured a 2-1 home victory after extra time to reach the playoffs. That result also guaranteed NEC league-phase football this season regardless of Tuesday’s outcome, with the Europa League awaiting them if they cannot overturn the deficit.

Their domestic fixture this weekend was postponed, allowing the visitors to focus entirely on their trip to Norway.

The question is whether NEC possess enough attacking threat to score the multiple goals they realistically require without leaving themselves exposed at the other end.

Bryan Linssen is expected to lead the attack, although Kaj Sierhuis has a strong case for inclusion after scoring in both of NEC’s Eredivisie fixtures this season.

Dusan Tadic and veteran captain Tjaronn Chery provide plenty of experience and creativity, but the visitors could again be without Koki Ogawa and Sami Ouaissa. Philippe Sandler and Perr Schuurs are also injury concerns in defence.

Verdict

NEC’s late first-leg goal prevents this tie from being completely settled, but the circumstances of the return fixture heavily favour Bodø/Glimt.

The Dutch side cannot afford to sit back and wait for opportunities. They need at least two goals simply to force extra time, and that requirement should leave increasing amounts of space for one of Europe’s most dangerous home sides to exploit.

Glimt are in excellent form, scoring freely and carrying considerably more experience of these high-pressure European occasions. With a 3-1 advantage and Aspmyra Stadion behind them, Knutsen’s men should finish the job convincingly.

Tip

Bodø/Glimt to win.