Sarpsborg 08
- Even Sel’s side had an encouraging preseason with wins over Sirius and Kristiansund, but a defeat to Viking in their most recent warm-up match shows that they still lack the intensity and sharpness that comes from playing competitive games.
- The hosts can be a very effective team when well organised, as Sel is known to do, sitting deep but pressing with numbers in certain areas and then releasing their wingers to counterattack.
Bodø/Glimt
- Bodø/Glimt come into this game riding high on the back of a sensational European run that has seen them knock Italian champions Inter out of the Champions League in the play-offs with a 5-2 aggregate win.
- The match was originally scheduled for midweek but was postponed because of Glimt's Champions League commitments.
- They should therefore be in fine form for the trip to Sarpsborg on Saturday and bring all the momentum to this game, even if they are at risk of a letdown against Norwegian opponents.
- Kjetil Knutsen’s side finished 2nd in the 2025 Eliteserien with 70 points to Sarpsborg 08’s 41 in ninth place and look to have the quality to take the title this season if everything goes their way.
- Glimt’s pressing, possession-based 4-3-3 is a very sophisticated system with all the players and manager capable of adapting it to suit their opponent.
Head-to-Head
- Bodø/Glimt won 4 of the last 5 Eliteserien meetings with Sarpsborg 08, including a 5-2 away win in October 2025.
- Sarpsborg 08 surprised Glimt with a 2-1 away win in June 2025.
Key Players
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Sarpsborg 08:
- In Daniel Karlsbakk, they have a reliable goal-getter up front who finished as their top scorer in 2025.
- He is backed up by plenty of movement from the likes of experienced attackers Jo Inge Berget and Sveinn Guðjohnsen, which should make life difficult for Glimt’s defenders on Saturday.
- Bjørn Inge Utvik and Sigurd Rosted provide size and command in defence and are very good on set pieces, where Sarpsborg can get some joy against opponents that do not always have all men behind the ball.
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Bodø/Glimt:
- Jens Petter Hauge was a constant threat to the Inter defence in the two-leg series and he should have the measure of Sarpsborg’s defence here.
- Nikita Haikin was in goal for Glimt’s Champions League games and did a great job with some big saves and clean sheets.
Betting Insights
- Glimt have the superior quality and have been in better form so will likely have enough to edge this contest, but our selection for the game is Both Teams to Score - Yes at 1.44 because of Glimt’s high-octane style and the Sarpsborg tactics that should ensure chances at both ends.
- Glimt should be too strong for Sarpsborg to outscore here, although Glimt’s squad will start to feel the effects of congestion over the coming weeks, so we’re happy to take the short odds of 1.45 for an away win.
Prediction
- Expect an entertaining game with chances at both ends and Both Teams to Score - Yes as the primary pick.
- Back Bodø/Glimt to edge it overall, with a likely scoreline reflecting a narrow away victory.
