Tottenham Hotspur return to European action on Thursday night with more than just a place in the Europa League final at stake; they are seeking to restore pride after a bruising domestic campaign and end a 41-year drought for continental silverware. Standing in their way at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a fearless and fast-rising Bodo/Glimt side, the first Norwegian club to reach the semi-finals of a major UEFA men’s competition.
The atmosphere in North London has turned tense in recent weeks. Spurs’ latest outing, a humbling 5-1 defeat at Anfield, exposed their defensive fragility and deepened the gloom surrounding Ange Postecoglou’s first season in charge.
The brief optimism provided by Dominic Solanke’s early goal was quickly swept away by a rampant Liverpool, who celebrated their 20th English title in style. For Tottenham, the loss marked their third consecutive Premier League defeat and left them languishing in 16th place, a position that threatens to equal their worst-ever finish in the competition.
While the domestic form has faltered, Spurs have looked like a different beast in Europe. Postecoglou’s side edged past Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals, thanks to a solitary Solanke penalty in Germany, and have shown grit and determination in the tournament’s latter stages. For a manager who has delivered trophies in his second seasons at clubs in Australia, Japan, and Scotland, lifting the Europa League could provide a fitting milestone in an otherwise frustrating campaign.
On the other side of the touchline, Bodo/Glimt are not just making up the numbers. Under Kjetil Knutsen, the Eliteserien champions have turned into one of the continent’s most intriguing underdog stories. Since their breakthrough title win in 2020, the Norwegian side has become a dominant force back home, securing back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024, and now has eyes set on European glory.
Bodo/Glimt arrive in the English capital in strong form, unbeaten in their opening four league matches this season and fresh off a comprehensive 3-0 win over KFUM Oslo. Danish striker Kasper Waarts Hogh stole the spotlight with a brace off the bench, underlining his status as the club’s talisman. Hogh has notched seven goals in the Europa League so far, tying him at the top of the Golden Boot standings alongside Olympiacos’ Ayoub El Kaabi.
Despite their meteoric rise, Bodo/Glimt have struggled historically against English teams, losing all three of their prior encounters. Yet, their most recent visit to British soil nearly produced a shock, with Knutsen’s side briefly leading at Old Trafford before narrowly falling 3-2 to Manchester United. That resilience, coupled with their fearless attacking style, suggests they won’t be intimidated by the occasion or the opposition. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Tottenham Hotspur head into Thursday night’s Europa League semi-final with a near full-strength squad, having rested several key players during their weekend thrashing at the hands of Liverpool. Manager Ange Postecoglou is expected to recall his first-choice names for the visit of Bodo/Glimt, with a place in the final and a chance at long-awaited silverware on the line.
Centre-back duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, who were both benched at Anfield, are set to return to the heart of defence, replacing Ben Davies and January signing Kevin Danso. In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur is likely to start after being left out of the starting XI on Sunday. Young talent Lucas Bergvall is also expected to retain his place as Postecoglou searches for balance and drive in the middle of the park. James Maddison, a creative spark in the engine room, remains crucial to Tottenham’s ambitions in this European campaign.
In attack, there is continued concern over the availability of captain Son Heung-min. The South Korean international has missed the last four games with an injury and remains a doubt for the first leg. However, Spurs are cautiously optimistic about his potential return for the second leg next week. Meanwhile, forwards Antonin Kinsky and Timo Werner are ineligible for the knockout stages, having not been registered in the Europa League squad. Defender Radu Dragusin is ruled out with a knee injury, further limiting options at the back.
Ange Postecoglou is expected to deploy a 4-3-3 formation for the semi-final clash. Guglielmo Vicario will start in goal, with Pedro Porro operating at right-back, Micky van de Ven and the exit-linked Cristian Romero forming the central defensive partnership, and Destiny Udogie taking up his usual role at left-back.
The midfield three will likely consist of Lucas Bergvall as the deep-lying playmaker, Rodrigo Bentancur offering box-to-box energy, and James Maddison tasked with creating opportunities in the final third. In attack, Dejan Kulusevski is expected to start on the right wing, with Dominic Solanke leading the line through the centre, and Mathys Tel featuring on the left flank.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Tel
Bodo/Glimt’s historic journey to the semi-finals of the Europa League has been tempered by mounting absences that threaten to derail their preparations ahead of the first leg in North London. Manager Kjetil Knutsen faces a significant selection headache with multiple key players unavailable due to suspension and injury.
Midfield anchor Patrick Berg, winger Hakon Evjen, and striker Andreas Helmersen are all suspended for Thursday’s clash, severely limiting the visitors’ depth and balance in crucial areas of the pitch. Adding to their woes, central defender Odin Bjortuft, one of the most consistent figures in the backline, was forced off with a groin problem during their comfortable Eliteserien win over KFUM Oslo at the weekend. While his condition is still being monitored, Bjortuft remains a major doubt and may not recover in time for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Despite these setbacks, Bodo/Glimt are expected to stick with their familiar 4-3-3 formation that has served them well throughout their European campaign. Israeli international Nikita Haikin is set to retain his spot between the posts. The back four will likely include Fredrik Sjovold at right-back, Villads Nielsen and Jostein Gundersen as the centre-back pairing, and Fredrik Andre Bjorkan on the left side of defence.
In midfield, Sondre Brunstad Fet will anchor the central zone, supported by the energetic Sondre Auklend and the experienced Ulrik Saltnes, who will be responsible for linking play and driving forward. Up front, Ole Didrik Blomberg is expected to operate from the right wing, with Jens Petter Hauge providing width and creativity from the left, while Kasper Hogh, currently tied at the top of the Europa League scoring charts, leads the line as the central striker.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Haikin; Sjovold, Nielsen, Gundersen, Bjorkan; Fet, Auklend, Saltnes; Blomberg, Hauge, Hogh
The 27-year-old striker has been instrumental in Tottenham’s European campaign, contributing three goals and four assists in the Europa League. Across all competitions, he has amassed 12 goals and eight assists, underscoring his significance to the team. His ability to consistently find the back of the net and create opportunities for teammates has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season for Spurs.
Solanke’s physical presence, combined with his intelligent movement and hold-up play, provides a focal point for Tottenham’s attacking endeavours. His knack for linking up with midfielders like James Maddison and wingers such as Dejan Kulusevski adds a dynamic edge to Spurs’ offensive strategies.
Despite Tottenham’s struggles in the Premier League, where they currently sit in 16th place, Solanke’s form offers a glimmer of hope. His recent performances, including a goal against Liverpool in a 5-1 defeat, demonstrate his resilience and determination to make an impact.
As Spurs aim to secure their first European final appearance since 2019, Solanke’s contributions will be crucial. His experience, coupled with his current form, positions him as a player capable of influencing the outcome of high-stakes matches. If Tottenham are to navigate past Bodø/Glimt and keep their European dreams alive, Solanke’s performance will undoubtedly be a determining factor.
Tottenham’s European form provides hope amid their domestic decline, and home advantage could prove pivotal in the first leg. However, Bodo/Glimt’s momentum, coupled with the finishing instincts of Hogh, should not be underestimated. Expect Spurs to edge a close contest, but not without a scare. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Ange Postecoglou and his charges.
