Bodo/Glimt vs Sturm Graz Preview & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Playoffs
by Alex Lawes ·
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Bodo/Glimt reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League last season and their European exploits begin again this time around with a clash with Sturm Graz.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Key Stats
- This is the first UEFA match between these teams and the first fixture for Bodø/Glimt against an Austrian club. Sturm Graz’s only previous UEFA encounters against a Norwegian opponent were against Haugesund in the second qualifying round of the 2019/20 UEFA Europa League (L 2-3 agg; 0-2 a, 2-1 h).
- Bodø/Glimt are aiming to reach the UEFA Champions League proper for the first time. They could become only the third Norwegian team to do so after Rosenborg (11 times) and Molde (once).
- The last time a Norwegian team featured in the group stage/league phase was in 2007/08 (Rosenborg).
- In last season’s UEFA Europa League, Bodø/Glimt became the first Norwegian team to reach the semi-finals of a UEFA senior men's club competition
- Bodø/Glimt lost in their previous two appearances in the UEFA Champions League play-off round, most recently last season when they were defeated 2-3 on aggregate against Crvena Zvezda (2-1h, 0-2 a).
- Sturm Graz are aiming for a second successive appearance in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League – they qualified automatically in 2024/25. Their previous three participations in the competition proper were in consecutive seasons from 1998/99 to 2000/01
- Sturm Graz last featured in the UEFA Champions League play-off round in 2011/12 when they lost 1-3 on aggregate against BATE Borisov (1-1 a, 0-2 h).
- Sturm Graz have lost their last four ties in UEFA Champions League qualifying.
Bodo/Glimt vs Sturm Graz prediction
Under the management of Kjetil Knutsen, Bodo/Glimt have consistently overperformed and overachieved in recent seasons on European competition, as proven by their semi-final appearance in last season’s UEFA Europa League. The Norwegians hammered Stromsgodset by five goals to nil in the Eliteserien at the weekend.
They now face a Sturm Graz side that overthrew Red Bull Salzburg at the top-of-the-table last season to win the Austrian Bundesliga. They most recently defeated Ried by three goals to one to mean they have started the 2025/26 Austrian Bundesliga campaign with two victories and a defeat in their opening three matches.
Sturm Graz head to the Arctic Circle looking a fair bit weaker than they did last year, and Bodo/Glimt should come out on top in this one with their home advantage.
Bodo/Glimt vs Sturm Graz tip: Bodo/Glimt to win
