Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Round of 16
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Surprise package Bodo/Glimt continue their remarkable journey when they host Sporting CP in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – CBS
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – Paramount+
Bodo/Glimt preview: Impressive underdogs
It was already a significant achievement for Bodo/Glimt to qualify from the league phase on their inaugural appearance in the UEFA Champions League proper, but their fairytale run continued with a superb 5-2 aggregate defeat of Italian giants Inter in the knockout phase play-offs.
The Norwegian minnows have taken Europe by storm with their unique patterns of play in the attacking areas, with forwards Jans Petter Hauge and Kasper Hogh having formed an excellent partnership.
Sporting CP preview: Under-the-radar
Bodo/Glimt's journey has perhaps overshadowed that of Sporting CP, who have enjoyed a superb European campaign in their own right.
The Portuguese side are the only team outside the traditional 'big five' leagues to have finished in the top eight of the league phase across both seasons since the format was introduced.
Bodo/Glimt team news: Full squad
Head coach Kjetil Knutsen once again boasts a fully-fit squad at his disposal, and is likely to opt for an unchanged starting line-up for the fifth Champions League match in succession.
The only slight concerns are that both Sondre Auklend and Patrick Berg are one booking away from a European suspension.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Haikin; Sjovold, Bjortuft, Gundersen, Bjorkan; Evjen, Berg, Fet; Blomberg, Hogh, Hauge
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Sporting CP team news: A number of absences
By contrast, Sporting are weakened somewhat by a combination of suspension and injury.
Maximiliano Araujo and Pedro Goncalves must both sit this first leg out after crossing the yellow card threshold, while Geovany Quenda is among the injury absentees.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Silva; Vagiannidis, Diomande, Inacio, Fresneda; Morita, Hjulmand; Catamo, Trincao, Luis Guilherme; Suarez
Unavailable: Araujo (Suspended), Goncalves (Suspended), Ioannidis (Injured), Mangas (Injured), Quenda (Injured)
Questionable: Kochorashvili (Injured)
Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP prediction
This is a fascinating tie between two clubs who have exceeded expectations in Europe this season.
Having beaten the likes of Man City, Atletico Madrid and Inter (twice), many will be expecting Bodo/Glimt to navigate their way past Sporting CP in the round of 16.
However, the Portuguese side come into this contest riding an unbeaten run of 12 games in all competitions, and it shouldn't be forgotten that they have beaten holders Paris Saint-Germain themselves this season.
Bodo have been impressive at home, but this Sporting CP outfit have goals in them, and we wouldn't be surprised to see this first leg go over 2.5 goals.
Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP Tip: Over 2.5 goals
