0 points, 90 minutes to set the Champions League direction

A fresh start for both sides

Bayern München and Bodo/Glimt begin their UEFA Champions League league-stage campaigns level on zero points, with Bayern ranked 15th and Bodo/Glimt 23rd before Thursday’s meeting at the Allianz Arena. Manchester City already lead the table with three points, leaving both teams three points behind the early pace.

The match, scheduled for 19:00 UTC on September 10, offers an immediate opportunity to establish momentum. Bayern have no recent form data available, while Bodo/Glimt arrive with a sequence of draw, win, win and win, listed from their most recent result. That run gives the visitors a measure of confidence, although the scale of the occasion and the venue will provide a different test.

Bodo/Glimt’s attacking shape

Bodo/Glimt have used a 4-3-3 in four matches, providing the clearest tactical reference for the contest. The shape can give them three forward outlets and a midfield trio capable of supporting attacks, but it also demands discipline when possession is lost. Bayern will look to test the spaces created when the Norwegian side’s full-backs and wide players move forward.

There is no Bayern formation data supplied, so their precise setup cannot be defined. Their task will nevertheless be to manage Bodo/Glimt’s width and prevent the visitors from turning their recent attacking momentum into sustained pressure. The opening exchanges may reveal whether Bodo/Glimt can keep their 4-3-3 compact or whether Bayern can force them into a deeper posture.

Contrasting home and away records

Bayern’s Champions League home record for the current season is yet to be established: they have played no home games, scored no goals and conceded none. Bodo/Glimt’s away figures offer more evidence, with one win, one draw and no defeats across two matches. They have scored six away goals, averaging 3.00 per game, but have also conceded four, averaging 2.00, and have kept no clean sheets.

Those numbers point to a potentially open contest if Bodo/Glimt maintain their forward intent. Bayern’s home advantage will be important, but the visitors have shown they can produce away goals while also leaving opportunities at the other end.

Absences add to the uncertainty

Bayern are without T. Buchmann because of a knee injury, while S. Gnabry is questionable with a muscle injury. Bodo/Glimt have several confirmed absences: H. Evjen, J. Gundersen, A. Mikkelsen, M. Riisnaes and I. Sjong. Evjen is sidelined by a knee injury, Mikkelsen by a groin injury, and Gundersen, Riisnaes and Sjong by injuries. The visitors may therefore need to balance their attacking 4-3-3 with added caution over squad depth.

Prediction

Bayern München 2-1 Bodo/Glimt. Bayern’s home setting should edge a match in which Bodo/Glimt’s recent momentum and away scoring record make them capable of finding a goal.