Bodo/Glimt make the trip to Switzerland to face FC Zurich knowing that a win could move them level on points with PSV Eindhoven in the race to progress further in the Europa League.
However, despite sitting at the bottom of Group A with zero points, Zurich head into this contest with the opportunity to get back into contention for third spot.
Match preview
© Reuters
On the back of last year's run to the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League, Bodo/Glimt have ambitions to go deep in the Europa League, a competition which represents a considerable step up.
As it stands, they only have hope, rather than expectation, having collected just four points from as many matches, leaving the Norwegian giants three points adrift of second-placed PSV Eindhoven.
Although successive defeats have been suffered against Arsenal, Kjetil Knutsen will at least be satisfied that the Gunners are out of the way, leaving their group rivals to encounter one of the favourites for the competition.
Providing that they avoid defeat on Thursday, Bodo/Glimt will guarantee at least third place, which brings a demotion to the Europa Conference League, but they are aware that completing the double over Zurich will force PSV Eindhoven to raise their game against Arsenal.
On the domestic front, Bodo/Glimt have recorded four successive wins, scoring 19 goals in the process, to move clear of Rosenborg in second spot.
Meanwhile, Zurich continue to endure a disastrous season, the defending Swiss champions now without success in their last 13 games in all competitions.
Bo Henriksen's team appeared to be making progress having posted back-to-back goalless draw in the league, but a 4-1 home defeat to Grasshopper Zurich has left the club six points adrift at the bottom of the table.
Even though Zurich can still earn a spot in the Europa Conference League, their focus is very much elsewhere as they bid to avoid one of the most surprising relegations in European football for some time.
FCZ suffered a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture back on September 15, Donis Avdijaj's late goal only proving to be a consolation.
Team News
© Reuters
Henriksen will almost certainly make several changes to his Zurich XI with Blerim Dzemaili highly likely to return to central midfield.
Avdijaj and Bogdan Viunnyk are in line to feature in the final third, while Becir Omeragic can expect to line up in the back three.
With Sondre Fet likely to be the only absentee for Bodo/Glimt, few alterations are expected from the team which breezed past Kristiansund BK at the weekend.
Ulrik Saltnes could be recalled in central midfield, but the likes of Joel Mugisha Mvuka and Nino Zugelj may remain among the replacements.
FC Zurich possible starting lineup:
Brecher; Kamberi, Katic, Omeragic; Rohner, Selnaes, Dzemaili, Guerrero; Krasniqi, Avdijaj; Viunnyk
Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:
Haikin; Sampsted, Moe, Lode, Wembangomo; Vetlesen, Berg, Saltnes; Solbakken, Espejord, Pellegrino
We say: FC Zurich 1-2 Bodo/Glimt
These two teams were similarly matched in the reverse fixture and we expect more of the same on Thursday. Nevertheless, there is every chance that the same result may still occur, ending Zurich's faint hopes of Europa Conference League football after Christmas.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
