Dutch giants Ajax will attempt to avoid an upset against Norway’s Bodo/Glimt in the Europa Conference League last-16 playoffs.
Will our algorithm predict a win for Ajax or an upset of a lifetime for Bodo/Glimt?
The Norwegians have been one of the most exciting clubs in European football in the last few years. Bodo/Glimt have played well in the Conference League,
In 2021-22, Bodo/Glimt reached the quarterfinals of the Conference League, losing to eventual champions Roma. The Lightning have not started their domestic campaign. They won’t play a match in the domestic league until April 1. The squad should be rested.
The Norwegian Eliteserien plays spring to autumn rather than autumn to spring, like Ajax in the Netherlands. Still, Bodo/Glimt will have plenty of motivation against their opponents.
Ajax have had a season of struggle. After a poor start to the campaign, the Amsterdammers have improved. They are now up to fifth in the Eredivisie standings.
However, Ajax will go into the last-16 Conference League last-16 playoffs winless in their last two matches. A draw with PSV Eindhoven was followed by a surprise 3-2 loss to Heerenveen.
Ajax reached the Conference League due to finishing third in their UEFA Europa League group. The Amsterdammers finished behind Brighton and Marseille in the group, forcing them into the Conference League.
Bodo/Glimt, on the other hand, progressed through the Conference League qualifying rounds before finishing second in their group to reach the last-16 playoffs.
Ajax will rely on striker Brian Brobbey to get goals against Bodo/Glimt. The striker has 15 goals in all competitions. He is having a break-out season, which has led to links to a transfer to Manchester United.
Bodo/Glimt are in their offseason on the domestic front. This has led to some players departing the club, while others have joined.
Forward Faris Moumbagna left the club for Marseille for €8 million. Midfielder Hugo Vetlesen also left to join Club Brugge.
Perhaps most frustrating was the departure of forward Amahl Pellegrino to the San Jose Earthquakes. Pellegrino has been Bodo’s stand-out player for the last few seasons.
The club has brought in several top-notch players, including Jens Petter Hauge from Eintracht Frankfurt, Tobias Gulliksen, and Hakon Evjen. The Lightning have reloaded their squad.
Our score prediction is for a shock to occur in Amsterdam. Bodo/Glimt should pull off a 2-1 win against an Ajax team that is suddenly slumping on the pitch.