Bodo/Glimt vs Borussia Dortmund: Five Dortmund Absentees
Published
Bodo/Glimt meet Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, at Aspmyra Stadion in Bodø. The Norwegian side enter Matchweek 2 sitting 36th in the 36-team league phase table following an opening 5-0 defeat away at Bayern München on 10 September.
Three injuries compound Bodo/Glimt's defensive problems
The heavy loss in Munich left Bodo/Glimt with a minus-five goal difference, though their summer qualifying phase produced four unbeaten fixtures, including a 3-0 home win against NEC Nijmegen on 25 August. Over their last four matches with available chance metrics, they have produced 1.98 expected goals per game while allowing 1.73.
Absences in attack and midfield further complicate their preparation. August Mikkelsen, Håkon Evjen, and Magnus Bech Riisnæs are all ruled out through injury. Forward Andreas Helmersen leads the squad with two goals in all competitions this season, and the hosts will rely on him to break through an opponent they held to a 2-2 draw in their only prior meeting on 10 December 2025.
Serhou Guirassy leads Dortmund amid defensive injuries
Borussia Dortmund sit 14th in the standings with three points after edging Villarreal 3-2 on 8 September. The German club arrives on a five-match unbeaten run across all competitions, most recently drawing 2-2 at home against Werder Bremen on 9 October.
Serhou Guirassy enters as Dortmund's leading scorer with four goals in all competitions this campaign. Dortmund's underlying numbers remain stable, generating 2.03 expected goals per game while conceding 0.98 across their last five recorded fixtures. However, squad depth will be tested on the road. Emre Can, Filippo Mane, Giannis Konstantelias, and Justin Lerma are ruled out with injuries, while full-back Julian Ryerson is doubtful.
Our model expects a Borussia Dortmund win
Our model expects a Borussia Dortmund win, assigning medium confidence to the away result. Dortmund's balance in chance creation—yielding more than two expected goals a game while holding opponents under one—supports that call against a Bodo/Glimt defence that allowed five goals in their first group outing. Dortmund's list of five missing or doubtful players provides Bodo/Glimt their best path to a repeat of the December 2025 draw.
