PREVIEW: Inter look to avoid huge upset in Arctic Circle against Bodo/Glimt | OneFootball

Last year’s Champions League finalists Inter Milan will be hoping to spare their blushes and get past the surprise package Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their round of 16 playoff clash.

Their exploits in Europe in recent years has gone far from unnoticed, after bowing out to eventual winners Spurs in the quarter-finals of the Europa League last year and this time they are looking to upset yet again, after incredible victories over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Athletico Madrid.

Since beating the Citizens 3-1 and then Atleti 2-1 to leapfrog the likes of Marseille and PSV, Kjetil Knutsen’s side now aim to repeat their impressive exploits – but will have to take down last seasons finalists over two legs.

But their opponents have been a force to be reckoned with in Serie A, sitting eight points clear of inner-city rivals AC Milan after 25 games, despite defeats to Arsenal and Liverpool seeing them drop out of the round of 16 spots.

Under coach Cristian Chivu, Inter Milan have dropped points just five times all season and have only drawn one of their last 12 games, winning 11, and an entertaining 3-2 win over Juventus widened the gap even further.

Although the Italian side managed to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final game-week of the Champions League, they will have to settle for a play-off which will be the last thing the side needs as they approach the business end of the league season.

The embarrassment of being dismantled 5-0 by holders Paris Saint Germain in last June’s Champions League final will be fresh on those at Inter, something that going deep into this year’s competition would help rectify.

Inter Milan have had their fair share of injury issues this season but have begun recovering with crucial players such as Nico Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu both returning in the sides last game against Juventus.

But full-back Denzel Dumfries is still expected to remain out for far past both legs, which will give Glimt more than enough hope that they can compete, even though the odds are stacked against them.

Bodo/Glimt have a fairly clean bill of health heading into this fixture with domestic season having finished last November, meaning the Norwegians team can direct full-focus onto their Champions league campaign.

Only midfielder Urik Saltnes will be missing from the squad with a full strength side looking to make more history