In the first leg of the Europa League's third qualifying round, Fredrikstad will welcome FC Midtjylland to Nye Fredrikstad Stadion on Thursday.
The Norwegian hosts have not had to navigate earlier rounds of qualifying due to their triumph in the 2024 Norwegian Football Cup, unlike Danish visitors Midtjylland, who only narrowly defeated Hibernian 3-2 on aggregate in late August after extra time.
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Fredrikstad vs FC Midtjylland prediction: Can the hosts' leaky defence hold firm?
Key stats
- Fredrikstad have kept just one clean sheet in their 12 most recent games, conceding 20 times.
- Midtjylland have only kept one clean sheet in five games, but have only played five competitive matches this season.
- The visitors have found the back of the net 12 times this term, while the hosts have scored one or fewer goals in 11 of their last 14 outings.
Correct score prediction: Fredrikstad 1-2 Midtjylland
Midtjylland may not have started their campaign in strong fashion at the back, but their goalscoring prowess could ultimately prove to be the difference maker on Thursday.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Midtjylland heavily backed by the bookmakers
- HOME: 29/10 (3.9) – 25.6%
- DRAW: 14/5 (3.8) – 26.3%
- AWAY: 5/6 (1.83) – 54.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Midtjylland are the expected winner of this clash, with a probability of 54.5%, and the bookmakers would be surprised if Fredrikstad managed to win.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: A rare encounter
Fredrikstad won their only previous encounter with Midtjylland, emerging as 1-0 victors in the Atlantic Cup in February 2024.
Europe Friendlies 09/02/24
Midtjylland
Fredrikstad
Fredrikstad preview: Plagued by inconsistencies
The hosts are seventh in the Eliteserien and are unbeaten in three games – winning once – but they have failed to win 10 of their past 12 fixtures, losing on six occasions while achieving just two victories.
After keeping a clean sheet against Tromso on August 2 in a 0-0 stalemate, fans can expect to see a back three consisting of Simen Rafn, Ulrik Fredriksen and Maxwell Woledzi.
Predicted lineup: Birkso (GK), Rafn, Fredriksen, Woledzi, Eid, Shein, Owusu, Sorlokk, Molde, Ohlenschlaeger & Skogvold
Norway Eliteserien 11/05/25
W
Kristiansund BK
0
Fredrikstad
1
Norway Cup 07/05/25
W
Pors Grenland
1
Fredrikstad
3
Norway Eliteserien 27/04/25
D
Haugesund
0
Fredrikstad
0
Norway Cup 24/04/25
W
Flint
0
Fredrikstad
5
Norway Eliteserien 21/04/25
W
Sandefjord
1
Fredrikstad
3
Midtjylland preview: Difficult to beat
The visitors are unbeaten in their last 10 competitive games – winning six times – while scoring at least two goals in seven of those matches.
Forwards Franculino Dju and Valdemar Byskov led the line against Hibernian in the second leg on August 31, and they will be keen to appear on together on Thursday.
Predicted lineup: Lossl (GK), Mbabu, Lee, M Sorensen, Paulinho, Osorio, Bravo, O Sorensen, Simsir, Dju & Byskov
Denmark Superligaen 11/05/25
D
FC Copenhagen
1
Midtjylland
1
Denmark Superligaen 04/05/25
W
AGF Aarhus
1
Midtjylland
3
Denmark Superligaen 27/04/25
W
FC Nordsjaelland
0
Midtjylland
5
Denmark Superligaen 22/04/25
L
FC Nordsjaelland
3
Midtjylland
2
Denmark Superligaen 17/04/25
W
FC Copenhagen
2
Midtjylland
4
Player to watch: Dario Osorio
Dario Osorio is arguably Midtjylland's most creative player, and after scoring against Hibernian in the second leg, he will be confident that he can impact the game against Fredrikstad.
However, that strike was his only goal involvement in five matches, though he did score three in the eight Europa League outings in 2024-25.