Sturm Graz vs Bodo Glimt Prediction 26.08.2025
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Sturm Graz vs Bodo Glimt Prediction
Sturm Graz vs Bodo Glimt Prediction and Betting Tips for the UEFA Champions League playoff second leg on Tuesday, August 27. Glimt arrive in Austria with a commanding 5-0 advantage from the first leg. In this article, you’ll also find Champions League Predictions from our XpertStats analysts.
- Bodo/Glimt crushed Sturm Graz 5-0 in the first leg, putting one foot in the Champions League group stage.
- Sturm Graz must overturn a huge deficit at home on Tuesday to avoid elimination.
- Both sides have key absences, with Glimt missing Haitam Aleesami and Sturm without Axel Kayombo.
- The Austrians are strong at home but face a confident Glimt on a long unbeaten run.
Bodo/Glimt couldn’t have asked for a smoother ride last week. A five-goal demolition in Bodø showed just how ruthless Kjetil Knutsen’s side can be when the game opens up. Kasper Høgh settled nerves with an early strike, while Saltnes, Bjørtuft, and Evjen added their names before a late own goal sealed the rout. The Norwegian champions remain unbeaten since July, sitting top of the Eliteserien and brimming with confidence. Can they really slip up with such a massive cushion? It feels unlikely, but football has surprised us before.
Knutsen’s men will travel light, missing Haitam Aleesami through injury, yet the squad still looks stacked. Patrick Berg runs the midfield with authority, while Jens Petter Hauge offers pace and flair on the flank. Their record away from home in Europe isn’t spotless, but even so, Glimt’s recent form suggests they’ll at least find the net in Austria. That would all but kill off any remote hopes of a comeback.
For Sturm Graz, this second leg feels more like damage control than a realistic path to the group stage. They’ve already shown resilience at home this season with victories over RB Leipzig and Girona, but being thrashed on Glimt’s artificial turf last week left scars. Otar Kiteishvili has been their brightest spark, scoring in every league game so far, but even his energy may not be enough against an opponent so far ahead. Can Jurgen Säumel’s men turn frustration into fight? That’s the only card left on the table.
The Austrians will have to cope without Borkovic, Kayombo, and Khudyakov, further weakening their options at the back. William Bøving, guilty of an own goal in Norway, will be desperate for redemption in front of home fans. Still, with an eight-game losing streak in Champions League qualifiers, history is firmly against them. A Europa League run now seems the more realistic path, and a spirited farewell here might be the best they can hope for.
It’s a tie that already feels settled, yet there’s still intrigue in how both sides approach the night. Will Bodo/Glimt tighten up, or go hunting for another statement win? Will Sturm Graz make it a proud exit, or suffer a second blow in front of their supporters? Whatever happens, this clash still carries lessons for bettors and neutrals alike, making it a key fixture in this week’s Champions League Predictions.
Backing Sturm Graz on the double chance (1X) makes sense here. While Glimt crushed them 5-0 in the first leg, the Austrians are traditionally a much stronger side at home, where they’ve beaten RB Leipzig and Girona in recent seasons. Jurgen Säumel’s men may already know progression is out of reach, but pride and momentum ahead of their Europa League campaign matter. In contrast, Bodo/Glimt travel with a rotated squad and without Haitam Aleesami. Away from Norway, Glimt have occasionally struggled in playoff ties, losing in both previous away legs when under less pressure. Sturm Graz still have Otar Kiteishvili in great form, scoring in all three of their domestic games so far, and William Bøving will be eager to bounce back after his own goal last week. With home support behind them, a draw or narrow win for Sturm looks a realistic outcome.
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