Bodo/Glimt return to the Arctic Circle locked at 3-3 after a chaotic first leg in Brussels, where they were outshot 18-6 yet still plundered three away goals. Union Saint-Gilloise created chances at will in that match but shipped three from barely any pressure, and they now face…
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Sign inBodo/Glimt welcome Union St. Gilloise for the first leg of their 2026–27 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie on Tuesday, August 11. Kick-off is at 5pm GMT. The Norwegian champions are in the middle of their domestic campaign and carrying strong form, while the Belgian side are still building match sharpness with their season just underway.
Bodo/Glimt have been hit by a string of absences. Leading scorer Kasper Høgh departed for Celtic at the end of July, leaving a void up front. Midfielder Håkon Evjen is out with a knee injury suffered in the win at Sandefjord, and Daniel Bassi, August Mikkelsen, Ulrik Saltnes and Isak Sjong also remain sidelined. Ola Brynhildsen, Ole Blomberg and Andreas Helmersen will shoulder the attacking responsibility.
Union St. Gilloise will field a reshaped side. Goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen left for Ipswich, so Vic Chambaere is set to start. Centre-back Christian Burgess moved to Gent, pushing Kevin Mac Allister, Massire Sylla and Ross Sykes into a back three. New signing Relebohile Mofokeng, who converted the winning penalty in the Belgian Super Cup, offers an option off the bench, while Promise David’s fitness remains uncertain after an earlier hip injury.
Kjetil Knutsen’s side sit top of the Eliteserien, having won their last five league matches without conceding a single goal. They are unbeaten in ten competitive fixtures, winning eight, and have already upset bigger names in Europe – last season they eliminated Inter in the playoff round and reached the Champions League last 16. Despite the loss of Høgh, the collective attacking structure has remained fluid, with Blomberg and Brynhildsen stepping into the gaps.
Union’s campaign began with a morale-boosting Super Cup victory away at Club Brugge, secured on penalties after a 1-1 draw. However, their pre-season included a heavy 7-3 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities. The Belgian side finished 27th in last season’s Champions League league phase and are now integrating new personnel in key positions. With only two competitive matches under their belt, they may lack the sharpness of a Bodo side 16 games into their league season.
Union’s back three will need to handle Bodo’s constant movement. Ross Sykes and Kevin Mac Allister are dangerous from set-pieces, and Adem Zorgane’s ability to link phases of play can release the pace of Anan Khalaili and Mofokeng. However, Bodo’s fluid interchanges – especially with the runs of Blomberg and the creative support of Jens Petter Hauge – will test the understanding of a defensive unit that has yet to gel fully. The 0-0 draw in the clubs’ previous meeting suggests a tight contest is likely again.
The winners of this two-legged tie will face either Olympiakos or NEC Nijmegen in the playoff round for a place in the league phase. For Bodo, a strong home result is essential before next week’s return leg, while Union know that an away goal – or a clean sheet – would tilt the tie in their favour.
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