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Midtjylland welcome Besiktas to MCH Arena on Thursday evening for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tie.
The Turkish side hold a narrow 1-0 aggregate advantage thanks to Orkun Kokcu's first-half strike in Istanbul, although the tie remains finely balanced after they failed to make the most of their dominance against 10-man opponents in the opening meeting.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Midtjylland vs Besiktas key stats
- Both teams have scored in four of the last six matches involving Midtjylland.
- Both teams have scored in two of the last three matches involving Besiktas.
- Midtjylland have lost just one of their last four competitive home matches.
Midtjylland vs Besiktas preview: Danish side need a response
Midtjylland vs Besiktas — Tale of the Tape
| Midtjylland | vs | Besiktas |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (Danish SuperLiga) | Position | 4th (Turkish Super Lig) |
| 3 | Points | 60 |
| 3 | Goals For | 59 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 40 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 10 |
| N/A | Home / Away Rank | 4th |
Midtjylland travel back to Denmark knowing they remain firmly in the contest despite falling to a narrow defeat in Istanbul.
The first leg proved frustrating for the Danish outfit, as Friday Etim's early red card left them playing with 10 men for most of the match, yet they still limited Besiktas to a single goal as Kokcu's superb long-range finish separated the teams.
Despite spending much of the evening defending, the visitors prevented the Turkish side from building the commanding advantage many expected.
Mike Tullberg's side now return to a stadium where they have built a formidable reputation in European competition over recent seasons.
Last season's impressive Europa League campaign included victories over Celtic, Nottingham Forest and Dinamo Zagreb before they eventually exited in the knockout stages, underlining their ability to compete against high-quality opposition.
The Danish side also kicked off their league campaign over the weekend, picking up a 3–2 win over Sonderjyske.
Besiktas, meanwhile, will feel they should already have one foot in the next qualifying round.
Vincenzo Italiano enjoyed a winning start to his competitive reign as Kokcu's strike secured victory, but the Turkish giants were wasteful after Midtjylland were reduced to 10 men.
Besiktas created numerous opportunities throughout the evening without finding the second goal that would have provided a far more comfortable cushion ahead of the return leg.
Even so, the Black Eagles arrive in Denmark full of confidence, thanks to their superior quality and experience.
With a third qualifying round meeting against Tromso or Hradec Kralove awaiting the winners, Besiktas know another disciplined display could keep their European ambitions firmly on track.
Midtjylland vs. Besiktas form guide & betting tips
| Midtjylland | vs | Besiktas |
|---|---|---|
W
W
W
L
W
|
Form | D
L
D
L
W
|
| 17 | Goals For | 4> |
| 6 | Goals Against | 6 |
L
|
Europa League | W
|
Whispers predicts: Midtjylland 1-1 Besiktas
Midtjylland should produce a much stronger attacking performance on home soil, particularly with no numerical disadvantage to contend with, and they possess enough quality to trouble Besiktas throughout the evening.
However, the Turkish side have looked increasingly organised under Italiano and carry a valuable aggregate lead into the second leg. Both teams to score is available at 3/5 (1.60), while Besiktas to qualify is priced at 3/5 (1.60), and the Black Eagles should do enough to protect their advantage and progress.
> Both teams to score at 3/5 (1.60) | Likelihood: Probable
> Besiktas to qualify at 3/5 (1.60) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result — Draw at 11/4 (3.75) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – Midtjylland 1-1 Besiktas at 6/1 (7.00) | Likelihood: Outsider