Football tips Thursday 5th March

 

Time	Home Team	Away Team	Tips
ENGLAND: Premier League
21:00	Tottenham	Crystal Palace	1 0.5
ARMENIA: Armenian Cup
12:00	Pyunik Yerevan	Noah	2 1up
ASIA: AFC Champions League 2 - Play Offs
13:15	Bangkok Utd	Tampines	ov1.5
AZERBAIJAN: I Liqa
12:00	Baku Sporting	Mingachevir	ST 0.5
12:00	Safa Baku	Sahdag Qusar	12&ov1.5
12:00	Zaqatala	Shimal	1 2up
AZERBAIJAN: Azerbaijan Cup
11:30	Kapaz	Turan Tovuz	12
15:00	Gabala	Sabah Baku	un3.5
BULGARIA: efbet League
12:15	Lok. Sofia	Dobrudzha	HT 0.5
14:45	Lok. Plovdiv	CSKA 1948 Sofia	ST 0.5
17:30	Ludogorets	Levski Sofia	1 0.5
EGYPT: Premier League
20:30	Arab Contractors	Al Ahly	2 EH
20:30	Ceramica Cleopatra	National Bank Egypt	ST 0.5
20:30	Haras El Hodood	Pyramids	ov1.5
20:30	Petrojet	El Gaish	un3.5
FINLAND: Liiga Cup
17:00	Mariehamn	Lahti	ST 0.5
FRANCE: Coupe de France
21:10	Lyon	Lens	ST 0.5
HUNGARY: Hungarian Cup
20:00	Honved	DVTK	gg or ov2.5
ICELAND: League Cup
20:00	Throttur	Fylkir	ov1.5
NORWAY: NM Cup
19:00	Molde	Bodo/Glimt	2 1.5
ROMANIA: Romanian Cup - Play Offs
19:00	Dinamo Bucuresti	Metalul Buzau	X or ov2.5
RUSSIA: Russian Cup - Play Offs
18:45	Dynamo Moscow	Spartak Moscow	ov1.5
SWITZERLAND: Super League
20:30	Basel	Grasshoppers	ov1.5
20:30	Thun	St. Gallen	1 0.5

 

"Molde vs Bodø/Glimt: Key Match Preview"

Molde host Bodø/Glimt at the Aker Stadion in Molde on Thursday, March 5, 2026, with kick-off set for 19:00 CET (18:00 UK time). This fourth-round tie in the Norwegian NM Cup marks the first official domestic match of the 2026 season for both sides and promises a fiery northern derby between two of Norway’s top clubs.

Bodø/Glimt arrive as the clear favorites, riding an extraordinary wave of momentum. The Arctic club have already turned heads across Europe with impressive Champions League performances, including stunning victories over Inter Milan that propelled them into the knockout stages. Fresh from those high-profile wins, Kjetil Knutsen’s men bring confidence, rhythm, and attacking firepower into this cup encounter. They typically play with high intensity, quick transitions, and a fluid front line featuring dangerous players such as Jens Petter Hauge, who can unlock defenses with pace and skill.

Molde, on the other hand, have not played a competitive fixture since November 2025. While the break allowed time for recovery and preparation, the lack of match sharpness could prove a significant challenge against a side that has been competing at the highest level. Erling Moe’s team will rely on their strong home record at the Aker Stadion, where the passionate crowd often creates a difficult atmosphere for visitors. Molde usually set up in a compact shape, looking to hit on the counter and exploit set-pieces, with forwards like Fredrik Gulbrandsen and wide players such as Kristian Eriksen and Caleb Zady Sery expected to carry the main threat.

"Tactical Focus"

The game is likely to revolve around whether Molde can disrupt Bodø/Glimt’s rhythm early on. Bodø/Glimt excel at dominating possession and creating overloads in wide areas, so Molde will need to press intelligently and stay organized to prevent quick switches of play. Expect Bodø/Glimt to control the tempo and look for openings through central midfielders like Patrick Berg and Sondre Brunstad Fet, while Molde attempt to absorb pressure and launch rapid breaks. Both teams are known for their attacking intent, suggesting the match could produce plenty of goalmouth action.

"Injuries and Suspensions"

Molde head into the cup tie with several concerns in the squad. Left winger Oskar Spiten-Nysæter remains sidelined with an injury until early May. Central midfielder Mats Møller Dæhli is doubtful after picking up a knock on March 2, while centre-back Fredrik Kristensen Dahl continues to recover from a knee problem. These absences could force adjustments in midfield and defense, testing the depth of the home side.

Bodø/Glimt appear to have a cleaner bill of health overall, though they will be managing the workload of players who have featured heavily in European matches. No major new suspensions have been reported for this fixture, allowing manager Knutsen greater flexibility in selection.

"Key Insights"

This cup clash highlights the growing gap in current form and European experience between the two northern rivals. Bodø/Glimt have established themselves as Norway’s dominant force in recent seasons, consistently challenging for titles and now making waves on the continental stage. Molde remain a competitive outfit with a proud history but face an uphill task to match the visitors’ sharpness after their long winter break.

Historically, encounters between these sides are often competitive and high-scoring. The head-to-head record is relatively balanced over the years, yet recent trends favor Bodø/Glimt, who have shown greater consistency. For Molde, progressing in the cup would provide a huge confidence boost and a platform to build momentum ahead of the Eliteserien campaign. For Bodø/Glimt, a strong result here would maintain their winning habit and keep the squad focused as they balance domestic and European commitments.

Fans can look forward to an entertaining evening under the lights at Aker Stadion. While Bodø/Glimt start as strong favorites due to their superior form and recent big-game experience, cup football is famous for surprises. Molde’s home advantage and the desire to make an early statement in the new season could make this a tighter contest than many expect. With both teams favoring open, attacking styles, supporters are likely to witness a match filled with intensity and goal-scoring opportunities.