Will the Europa League remain Midtjylland’s safe haven?
FC Midtjylland has certainly been one of the most pleasant surprises of this Europa League season so far. The reigning Danish runners-up, led by former BVB youth coach Mike Tullberg—a manager well-known in this country as well—have reached the round of 16 in an international competition for the first time in the club’s history and could even secure a spot in the quarterfinals on Thursday evening. Following their 1-0 away win a week ago at the City Ground, the odds are looking pretty good for the underdogs. Nevertheless, ahead of Midtjylland’s second leg against Nottingham, the odds on an away win are lower.
But why is that, exactly? The “Boys of the Heath” have won eight of their nine Europa League matches so far this season, finished the group stage in an excellent third place, and—along with Olympique Lyon—scored the most goals in the group stage (18). The Danes have been particularly strong in front of their home crowd. All four Europa League home games were won with a combined score of 8-1.
Given this context, I don’t quite understand why even the Midtjylland vs. Nottingham double chance 1X bet is offered at an attractive 1.80 at Betano.
Overall, I’m also optimistic that the Wolves from Herning will reach the quarterfinals. On the one hand, of course, because of their nearly perfect starting position, which forces the visitors from England to play for a win in Denmark. On the other hand, however, also given the “Tricky Trees’” far-from-good form.
Forest has played seven matches under new Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira. After a promising 3-0 away win in their debut against Fenerbahce in Istanbul, the “Garibaldi Reds” have recently gone six games in a row without a win. They even lost four of those six matches. The surprise Premier League team from last season scored more than one goal in only two of those seven matches.
This weekend saw a 0-0 draw at Fulham FC, leaving Nottingham Forest still occupying the last non-relegation spot in the Premier League, though level on points with the relegation zone. This weekend also features a crucial away match against direct rival Tottenham, so this Europa League away fixture may not even be the top priority. In my view, all of these are reasons that lead me to bet on the Danes advancing, given what I consider to be attractive Midtjylland vs. Nottingham odds.
Midtjylland – Nottingham Head-to-Head Record
Like some other matches in the Europa League Round of 16, this matchup also took place during the group stage. In early October, Midtjylland prevailed 3-2 in Nottingham. Tullberg’s side repeated that away win last week.
Despite the English side’s clear dominance—they fired 22 shots on goal but ultimately created fewer clear-cut chances than the Danes—South Korean Gue-Song Chu scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute for the Wolves, who now need only a draw at home to reach the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, anyone looking to bet on Midtjylland’s third win in three games against Nottingham will find odds of up to 3.55 at Betano on the 1X2 market!
Midtjylland – Nottingham Prediction
As a Premier League club, Nottingham Forest naturally enjoys a certain status as favorites in Europe’s second-most important club competition. In my view, however, this is not really justified. I also consider it incorrect that the “Tricky Trees” are favored in Thursday evening’s away match in Herning, Denmark. The English side has gone six competitive matches without a win, has already lost twice to Midtjylland in the current Europa League campaign, and faces a crucial relegation showdown at Tottenham this weekend.
I consider it rather unlikely that the team led by coach Vitor Pereira—who has already come under criticism again after four losses in six matches during his tenure, which has lasted just seven games—will now make up for the 0-1 deficit from the first leg at the MCH Arena and advance to the next round. After all, the Wolves won all four of their home games in the Europa League group stage, conceding only one goal in total. I’m therefore going with the Midtjylland vs. Nottingham tip that Tullberg’s side will advance.
