Bodo/Glimt Vs. FC Twenty Prediction: Mees Hilgers' Resilience Will Be The Round Of 16

JAKARTA - Bodo/Glimt will host FC Twenty in Norway on Thursday, February 20 or Friday morning, in the second leg of the knockout phase of the Europa League. After a dramatic defeat in the first leg, Kjetil Knutsen's team tried to turn things around at the Aspmyra Stadium, which is notoriously difficult to beat.

Bodo/Glimt should have been more favored in this duel if they saw their performance in the group stage. The Norwegian team finished ninth, only one place below the deadline for the last 16, while Twente qualified with 23rd ranking just over goal difference.

However, Twente remains a favorite due to a 2-1 win in the first leg, despite having to face extreme weather in the Arctic Circle in this match.

Bodo/Glimt showed great resistance in last week's away game, although they rarely performed well when playing far from home. Patrick Berg's equalizer goal in the 85th minute looks set to secure a draw, but a penalty in injury time that Ricky van Wolfswinkel executed sent them home empty-handed.

Despite losing in the first leg, Bodo/Glimt's chances are still wide open. They have an impressive home record in Europe with 25 wins in their last 31 games in Aspmyra, with an average score of 2.6 goals per game.

However, their defense needs significant improvement. Of the last eight home games in all competitions, a total of 35 goals were created, 13 of which were lodged in their goal.

The test for Bodo/Glimt's backline became even more evident after they lost three friendlies before this match, conceded 11 goals against Fortuna Dusseldorf, Sparta Prague, and Aalborg. If they want to qualify for the last 16 for the first time, they must immediately improve their defense.

On the other hand, Twente is trying to restore their glory in European competitions after a long absence. The Eredivisie club last reached the last 16 of the Europa League in 2012 and has only returned to the main UEFA tournament this season after 12 years.

History sided with Twenty, who had never lost a trip to Norway. They recorded two wins and one draw in the previous three visits, including a 0-0 result against the Kongsvinger in the 1998 Interto Cup.

Twenty is currently in good form with six matches without defeat, including a 3-2 win at Malmo headquarters at the start of the knockout phase. After a 2-1 win over Bodo/Glimt last week, they also beat Waalwijk 2-0 at Eredivisie on the weekend.

Joseph Oosting's team will try to record a consecutive away win in European competitions for the first time since the 1977-78 season. They will come to Norway confidently.

There has been no significant change in the Bodo/Glimt squad. Gate Vetti, Syver Skeide, and Daniel Bassi are still sidelined due to injury.

Ole Blomberg, who was just recruited from Brann for 1 million in January, has appeared in six qualifying matches for the European Conference League and made his Europa League debut last week.

In the Twente camp, Sam Lammers returned from injury last week but only played in the weekend game against Waalwijk, where he scored. Ricky van Wolfswinkel is likely to return to the starting XI after scoring the decisive goal in the first leg.

Younes Taha is the only player who has been ruled out of the Twenty squad for a broken leg.

Mees Hilgers, FC Twente's mainstay defender and the Indonesian national team, have fully recovered from an injury that kept him out for two months. He again appeared full for 90 minutes in a dramatic 2-1 win over Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of the Europa League playoffs.

His solid performance at the back received praise from coach Joseph Oosting, who judged his team to play convincingly in possession of the ball and defense. With Hilgers' return to his best form, FC Twenty has high confidence ahead of the second leg in Norway

Bodo/Glimt have an outstanding home record in Europe, but their defense is still a big problem. Twenty, with a winning capital in the first leg, will try to keep their lead and take advantage of the gaps in the home line.

If Bodo/Glimt can control the game and take advantage of home advantage, they have a great opportunity to turn things around. However, Twente is also in solid form and could have scored an away goal that made it difficult for the Norwegian team.

Bodo/Glimt (4-3-3): Haikin; Sjovold, Nielsen, Gundersen, Bjorkan; Evjen, Berg, Saltnes; Blomberg, Hogh, Hauge

FC Twenty (4-3-3):Unnerstall; Van Rooij, Hilgers, Lagerbielke, Kuipers; Vlap, Sadilek, Steijn; Lammers, Van Wolfswinkel, Ltaief

Score prediction: Bodo/Glimt 1-0 FC Twenty