The Champions League has a funny way of testing even the greatest dynasties. This Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the glamour of the Etihad will be replaced by the biting winds of the Aspmyra Stadion. The Bodo/Glimt vs Manchester City Champions League 2026 clash isn’t just another group stage fixture; it is a survival test for a Manchester City side that looks uncharacteristically vulnerable. Watch it live on Damitv.pro
Fresh off a bruising 2-0 defeat in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, Pep Guardiola takes his squad into the Arctic Circle. For Bodo/Glimt, this is the biggest night in their history. For City, it’s a mission to secure a top-eight finish and avoid the “chaos” of the knockout play-offs.
The Context: A City Side Under Pressure
It is rare to see a Pep Guardiola team “blowing hot and cold,” but 2026 has started roughly for the English champions. While they recently put 10 goals past Exeter in the FA Cup, their Premier League form has dipped, leaving them seven points behind leaders Arsenal.1
The Bodo/Glimt vs Manchester City Champions League 2026 match comes at a time when City’s defensive depth is being pushed to the limit. With long-term injuries to key figures and the recent news of Josko Gvardiol requiring surgery, the “invincible” aura of the Blues is being questioned.
Team News: The Injury Crisis in Manchester
If you are looking for the “X-factor” in this game, look no further than the medical room. Manchester City is facing what Guardiola has described as a “true emergency.”
- Manchester City Absentees: The list is staggering. Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Josko Gvardiol are all out. Additionally, Bernardo Silva is serving a suspension, and Phil Foden remains a major doubt after a hand injury sustained in the derby.2
- The Haaland Factor: All eyes are on Erling Haaland. Returning to his home country, the Norwegian “Cyborg” is currently on his longest run without an open-play goal (7 matches).3 Is there a better place to break that streak than on Norwegian soil?
Bodo/Glimt, meanwhile, enters this game with “fresh legs.” Their domestic season ended in November, meaning they have spent the last few weeks specifically preparing for this tie.4 While they are missing the suspended Jostein Gundersen, stars like Jens Petter Hauge are fit and ready to exploit City’s makeshift backline.5
Tactical Analysis: Why Aspmyra is a Trap
The Bodo/Glimt vs Manchester City Champions League 2026 tie will be played on an artificial surface in sub-zero temperatures.
- The Pitch: Bodo/Glimt’s artificial turf is notoriously fast. City’s possession-based game often struggles on these surfaces, as the ball bounce is different from natural grass.
- The High Line: Hansi Flick-style high lines (which Pep often mirrors) are risky against Bodo’s counter-attacking speed. Kasper Høgh and Hauge will look to spring behind Rico Lewis and Nathan Aké at every opportunity.
- The Goalkeeping Duel: With Gianluigi Donnarumma expected to start, City has a literal wall in goal. He was the only reason the derby scoreline wasn’t 5-0 last weekend.
Predicted Starting XI Comparison
| Feature | Bodo/Glimt (4-3-3) | Manchester City (4-1-4-1) |
| Goalkeeper | Nikita Haikin | Gianluigi Donnarumma |
| Star Defender | Villads Nielsen | Nathan Aké |
| Midfield Engine | Patrick Berg | Nico O’Reilly |
| Danger Man | Jens Petter Hauge | Erling Haaland |
Final Verdict: Can an Upset Happen?
Bodo/Glimt has a history of humbling giants at home (just ask Jose Mourinho’s Roma). While Manchester City are the 1/3 favorites, the combination of Arctic weather, a defensive injury crisis, and the pressure of the Manchester derby defeat makes this a “banana skin” fixture.
For the hosts, a win would be historic. For City, it is about professional management and getting back on the plane to Manchester with three points and no fresh injuries.