Bodø Glimt – Vålerenga 26-07-2025

Let's get one thing straight. We who write analyses, and should be out in good time, have an ambivalent relationship with this time of year. We are in the middle of the summer transfer window, and a lot can happen in a short time. We are therefore saying this. Follow along a little towards the start of the match to see if there are things that have changed that you should take a position on. This can be difficult to predict so quickly.

Otherwise, Bodø Glimt are starting to find their form, and we predicted a strong win away against Viking in the previous round. We think Glimt have planned for a peak of form when they try to secure a Champions League place, and we see that the team is getting there. Vålerenga has been a bit of a disappointment so far this year, but took an important series last against Haugesund, and with that maintained a small gap down to HamKam who is in the qualification place.

We see that the bookmakers are cautious with odds in this match, but we still think we have found a bet that may be relevant.

Bodø Glimt – Norway's best team.

Bodø Glimt is a club Norway must be proud of. Or as Raga Rockers sings "Doesn't it feel good to have someone to hate". Because it will always be the case that everyone wants to knock the best team off the top. There is no doubt that this club is the best we have in Norway today.

The way the club is run. The way they play football, and how they constantly manage to stay ahead of adversity. They work incredibly hard in the transfer market, and perform in a completely different league than other teams in the Eliteserien do. They may already have one of the most exciting strikers on the market on the team already, with Kasper Høgh. But there are still rumors that Mathias Jørgensen from Aalborg is on the way for a sum of 40 million. Either they want to be ahead once again, or maybe Kasper Høgh is on the way for a place? These are things that we do not have completely clear when we write this. But it will be exciting to follow. They have also just bought Magnus Bech Riisnæs from today's opponent for around 30 million. It shows the financial muscle this club has.

The latest is that Berg is rumored to be leaving for 120 million. A bid Glimt is said to have rejected. They want about 15 million more, and are trying to force this. Which other Norwegian club would have turned down a bid of that magnitude? We're guessing no one.

When it comes to what's going on on the field, the machinery has really started to work. They just look better and better. We saw that last time against Viking, where the team never stopped attacking. This is also what characterizes a Glimt in form. They almost never let the opponent have the ball. We don't think there are many teams that leave Stavanger with 64-36 in possession. Strong numbers on a field like this.

But Glimt are running more now, they look quicker. They are bringing their defenders in more often. We see that the peak of form is approaching, and there are goals in several of the players. We think that Vålerenga will notice it in the match here too.

If we look at the home statistics for the year, it is a bit strange. They have lost two games against Viking and Sarpsborg. Against Viking they led 2-1 before they had a player sent off, and that cost them the victory. Against Sarpsborg they lost 4 minutes in overtime, after dominating much of the game. But simply a bad game according to coach Knutsen. The rest of the games have been won without conceding a goal and the results are as follows. HamKam 3-0, KFUM 3-0, RBK 4-0, Brann 3-0 and Sandefjord 2-0. Superb victories there. We think something similar can happen in this one, and we consider Vålerenga under 0.5 goals at 2.38 odds for a long time. Or Bodø Glimt wins BTTS no, at 2.48 odds.

But we think we've found a safer bet. Let's take a look at Vålerenga before we conclude.

Vålerenga – Will take time to build.

Vålerenga, who have been relegated to the OBOS league, are in the process of rebuilding their club. The team has primarily struggled a bit in the forward position. They have many young, promising players in the squad. But neither Rijks nor Brajanac have delivered there.

But with Ofkir and Grundetjern in place, things look a little brighter. It will be exciting to see what these players can bring to this team. Things have also happened at the very back. Oscar Hedvall has come in. The Dane has signed a contract until 2028, and is a piece in the team building they are now in the process of. What this means for this match we are unsure.

Vålerenga will probably have to accept being the underdog against Glimt. Because while they fought their matches in OBOS last year, Glimt was dominating the Europa League. That leap will probably not be closed in one season, and the level up to Glimt will be great. The teams did not meet each other last year. But historically, Vålerenga often struggles against the team from Bodø.

Vålerenga have actually been better away from home this season, and Glimt should be careful not to get too cocky here. They seem to like to be able to lie back a bit and try to counterattack. They have some players who can really push forward if they get the chance. The problem with this is that if you lie back to let Glimt dominate, you will quickly be in trouble.

Because Glimt are massive in their pressure, and it is difficult to play all the way out from the back of the field. We think that could be Vålerenga's path in this match.

Conclusion – How much does Bodø Glimt win?

We are reasonably confident that Glimt will win this match. Of course, it is a bit dangerous to say in advance, because if Bodø Glimt thinks in that way, they could easily underestimate Vålerenga and end up in trouble.

But this Glimt team is looking more and more like themselves. They are probably full of confidence now ahead of this one, after their last few games. Vålerenga could easily fall behind, and then have to open up a bit, which will lead to more opportunities for the home team.

We think Glimt will win by more goals. The bookmakers probably think so too. We get a measly 1.60 on Glimt winning by 2 goals or more. We therefore go for a slightly different variant. So to protect ourselves, we go for a variant where the money is refunded in the event of a 2-goal win, but get good odds if they win by 3 or more, which they have done several times at home this season.

Eliteserien at 18:00: Bodø Glimt – Vålerenga: Bodø Glimt wins -2 goals asian (1.99)