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Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Bodo/Glimt and FC Zurich, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Both searching for a first win in the Europa League group stage at the second time of asking, Bodo/Glimt and FC Zurich will do battle in Norway on Thursday.

The hosts picked up an impressive point away at PSV Eindhoven in the first round of fixtures, while their visitors were only narrowly beaten by Arsenal.

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Match preview

After winning the Norwegian Eliteserien for the second consecutive time last season, Bodo/Glimt earned entry into Champions League qualifying, and they began by scraping past KI Klaksvik in the first round before overturning a first-leg deficit to thrash Linfield 8-1 on aggregate in their second outing.

A 6-1 beating of Zalgiris put Kjetil Knutsen's side within one two-legged tie of the group stage of Europe's premier competition, with Croatian outfit Dinamo Zagreb standing in their way, and Amahl Pellegrino gave Glimt a one-goal lead heading into the away leg as he hit the only goal of the game in Norway.

That lead was scratched off inside four minutes of the second match, and, after Bruno Petkovic put their opponents ahead on aggregate, Albert Gronbaek levelled the tie for Knutsen's men in the 70th minute, forcing a period of extra time in which their opponents eventually prevailed with two more goals.

Consequently, the Norwegian outfit now find themselves in the Europa League group stage, and their campaign began with a tough trip to PSV Eindhoven which ended in a commendable 1-1 draw as Gronbaek opened the scoring before Cody Gakpo drew their hosts level.

Now on the back of a disappointing defeat to Tromso to drop to third place in their domestic top flight, Bodo/Glimt will look to build on their positive start to the Europa League with a first win on Thursday.

FC Zurich arrive hoping to put their first points of the group stage on the board after fighting through several European qualifying rounds, having also started in Champions League qualifying.

The Swiss champions met Qarabag in the second round and dropped out of contention after a 5-4 aggregate defeat, but they would then put up a dominant display against Linfield to progress to the Europa League playoff round with 2-0 and 3-0 wins at home and away respectively.

Hearts then stood between Franco Foda's men and the group stage, and they got on the front foot with a 2-1 home win thanks to goals from Adria Guerrero and Blerim Dzemaili before also prevailing in Scotland as Fabian Rohner hit the only goal of the game at Tynecastle Park.

On the back of consecutive league defeats in what has been a tough start to the domestic term, Zurich faced an unenviable opening group-stage contest against Premier League leaders Arsenal, and despite Mirlind Kryeziu drawing them level with a penalty after Marquinhos's early opener, they would eventually fall short as Eddie Nketiah hit the decisive goal for the Gunners on the hour mark.

Nonetheless, Foda's side should still take some encouragement from that competitive display, and now following another Swiss top-flight defeat at the hands of Servette to drop to ninth spot with just two points from eight games in their title defence, they will aim to bounce back and record a first three-point haul on their travels.

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Team News

Bodo/Glimt will remain without key attacker Amahl Pellegrino, who has netted 23 goals and provided six assists in 26 appearances across Eliteserien and Champions League qualifying action this season, as he continues to nurse an injury.

Striker Victor Boniface also departed at the beginning of August, meaning Runar Espejord will again be relied upon to lead the line, with Albert Gronbaek set to offer support from the left wing.

Ulrik Saltnes, Patrick Berg and Hugo Vetlesen form an impressive midfield unit and they should all keep their places for Thursday's contest.

FC Zurich winger Jonathan Okita was sent off in their league game against Servette last time out, but he is eligible to play on Thursday with the suspension instead carrying over to their next domestic outing and is bound to play a key role after scoring both goals in their eventual 3-2 loss.

He will again flank striker Aiyegun Tosin, with Adria Guerrero set to operate on the other wing, although Fabian Rohner, who netted the only goal in their away leg against Hearts, is also pushing to start in the front line.

Further back, Blerim Dzemaili could come back in from the outset to partner Ole Selnaes at the base of midfield in a 4-2-3-1 setup.

Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:
Khaikin; Sampsted, Lode, Hoibraten, Wembangomo; Saltnes, Berg, Vetlesen; Mvuka, Espejord, Gronbaek

FC Zurich possible starting lineup:
Brecher; Boranijasevic, Kamberi, Kryeziu, Aliti; Dzemaili, Selnaes; Okita, Krasniqi, Guerrero; Tosin

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We say: Bodo/Glimt 2-1 FC Zurich

FC Zurich's form so far this season is somewhat concerning, and while they performed admirably against Arsenal, we do not see them having enough to force a result against an imposing Bodo/Glimt side in Norway.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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