Tottenham vs Bodo/Glimt early injury and suspension news as 4 ruled out and 3 doubts
Tottenham Hotspur return to Europa League action on Thursday night, hosting Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their highly anticipated semi-final clash. The match will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and there is a real sense of urgency around the club to get off to a strong start before what promises to be a challenging second leg away in Scandinavia.
For Spurs, this competition has taken on even greater importance in recent weeks. With their Premier League campaign unraveling and hopes of a top-four finish all but extinguished, the Europa League now represents their only realistic pathway back into the Champions League next season. Winning the tournament would not only salvage a frustrating domestic season but also provide a much-needed boost heading into the summer.
Ange Postecoglou’s side progressed to the semi-finals by overcoming Eintracht Frankfurt in a convincing quarter-final performance. Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt have enjoyed a fairytale run of their own, knocking out Italian giants Lazio in a dramatic two-legged encounter that was ultimately decided by a tense penalty shootout. The Norwegian outfit have impressed many with their fearless and energetic style of play, but they head into Thursday’s fixture with a few significant selection concerns.
Unlike Tottenham, Bodo/Glimt have only recently started their domestic campaign, meaning their squad should, in theory, be fresher. However, suspensions and injuries could take a toll. Defender Odin Bjortuft is a major doubt after suffering a groin injury in their last outing. Manager Kjetil Knutsen was unable to give a definitive update post-match, admitting: “I do not know anything. I never enjoy seeing a player lay down, but the medical staff are currently assessing the situation.”
The visitors are also without several key players due to suspension:
- Patrick Berg will miss the first leg after reaching the yellow card threshold in the competition.
- Hakon Evjen is similarly sidelined for picking up too many bookings.
- Andreas Helmersen, who was sent off during the heated second leg against Lazio, will serve a one-game ban.
Adding to Knutsen’s worries, Ole Blomberg missed Bodo/Glimt’s last game with an injury and remains a doubt for the clash in London.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have their own fitness concerns to manage ahead of the semi-final. Star forward Heung-min Son remains touch-and-go as he continues his recovery from an injury that sidelined him against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Speaking before the Liverpool match, Postecoglou said: “Squad-wise, there’s no change. All the guys got through Forest okay. Sonny is the only one still undergoing rehab, improving but not quite ready for Sunday. With the schedule we have ahead, Thursday is obviously a big night for us, so we’ll have to balance game time carefully.”
The Australian coach added some positive news, saying Son had returned to light training: “It’s the first time he’s been out on the grass today, and he said it felt significantly better than before. It’s a day-by-day situation, but he’s improving.” There remains cautious optimism that Son could feature against Bodo/Glimt, though a final decision will likely depend on his progress during the final training sessions and be confirmed during Postecoglou’s pre-match press conference.
Elsewhere, Spurs will have to cope without Radu Dragusin, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season — and likely a portion of next season — after suffering a devastating ACL injury. Postecoglou confirmed: “Radu underwent surgery today following his ACL injury. The procedure went well, and he will now begin the recovery and rehabilitation process. It’s a tough blow for the lad and for the squad.”
Apart from Son and Dragusin, Tottenham’s injury list is relatively clear. Most of the squad emerged unscathed from the Liverpool game, offering Postecoglou a nearly full complement of players to choose from as Spurs seek to take a decisive first-leg advantage.
With so much riding on the Europa League campaign, Spurs fans will be hoping their side can deliver a confident performance on Thursday night — and edge one step closer to lifting a trophy that could define their season.