Riga FS vs Bodo/Glimt

Riga FS and Bodo/Glimt are set to lock horns in the return leg of their all-but-decided Champions League qualifying tie at LNK Sporta Parks.

RFS came nowhere near Bodo/Glimt’s high standard in the first leg, succumbing to a disastrous 4-0 defeat in Norway to practically relinquish their hopes of reaching the third qualifying round. Viktor Morosz’s team fell apart in the opening 45 minutes, falling three goals behind at halftime, and the Latvian coach will probably seek a better start. Confidence stems from an overwhelming 4-1 win at fellow domestic rivals Tukums 2000 over the weekend, accounting for Riga’s eighth triumph across their last nine competitive outings (L1). However, the hosts’ problems in Europe are long-standing, with a 3-0 thumping of Larne in the opening qualifying round remaining one of only their two victories in their last eight home games on the continental front (D3, L3).

In the meantime, Bodo/Glimt’s superb first-leg performance will likely be enough for their second appearance in the Champions League third qualifying round in three years. Perhaps complacent after picking Riga apart, the reigning Eliteserien champions shared the spoils with newly promoted KFUM at the weekend (1-1), surrendering a two-game winning streak in all competitions. Kjetil Knutsen’s men have blown hot and cold across their last five road trips (W2, D1, L2). In addition to their recent travel sickness, Bodo/Glimt can’t take anything for granted in Latvia, especially considering their dreadful away record in Champions League qualifying. The Norwegians have lost four of their five previous such fixtures (D1), failing to score more than once on each occasion.