Nottingham Forest have it all to do if they are to go through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League as they hold a one-goal deficit to Midtjylland heading into the second leg of their last-16 clash at the MCH Arena.
Indeed, the Tricky Trees lost 1-0 on home soil in the first leg, and are in real danger of crashing out of the competition.
Meanwhile, Midtjylland are in a strong position, as they continue their unlikely quest for a first major European trophy in their history.
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 free expert Europa League predictions!
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Midtjylland vs Nottingham Forest key stats
- Midtjylland are winless in three home games in all competitions (D2, L1).
- Forest are winless in six matches across all competitions (D2, L4).
- Forest lost both H2Hs this season by a single-goal margin.
Midtjylland vs Nottingham Forest preview: Tricky Trees to tumble out of Europe?
| Midtjylland | vs | Nottm Forest |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (Superliga) | Position | 17th (Premier League) |
| 46 | Points | 29 |
| 58 | Goals For | 28 |
| 24 | Goals Against | 43 |
| 8 | Clean Sheets | 5 |
| 1st | Home Rank | 16th |
| 2nd | Away Rank | 16th |
Midtjylland have perhaps surprised a lot of people in terms of their Europa League performance so far.
Indeed, they finished third in the league phase, and are joint-second in terms of games won (seven) and goals scored (19).
Midtjylland have lost just once in eight games in all competitions (W5, D2).
Danish teams only rank ninth in terms of coefficient points earned this season too, compared to English sides in first.
Nonetheless, Midtjylland have already shown that they are a force to be reckoned with, as they aim to simultaneously go as far in the Europa League as possible, as well as win the Superliga with them currently in second place.
Forest's Europa League performances have been better than in the Premier League, as they are in serious threat of relegation.
Forest have won just once in 10 matches across all competitions (D4, L5).
Thus, Europe has been a welcome distraction for them, but they are also in danger of crashing out here.
The Tricky Trees not only lost the first leg, but they were also defeated by Midtjylland in the league phase.
Both were on home soil though, and they may get more joy on their travels having won twice away from home in the competition this season.
Midtjylland vs Nottingham Forest form guide & betting tips
| Midtjylland | vs | Nottm Forest |
|---|---|---|
| W-D-D-W-L | Form | L-L-D-L-D |
| 6 | Goals For | 4 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 7 |
| D-W-W | Europa League form | W-L-L |
Whispers predicts: Midtjylland 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Forest have been installed as favourites with bookmakers, with a best price of 22/19 for the visitors to win in normal time, and therefore progress into the quarter-finals or at least force extra-time and/or penalties.
However, their form has simply been too poor to fully back them, while Midtjylland seem to have their number in this competition.
Thus, we are happy to back the Draw at 11/4 with Betfred, while out score prediction of 1-1 is available at 6/1 with other bookmakers.
Midtjylland's excellent defensive record of late, coupled with Forest's misfiring attack, means Under 2.5 goals at 21/20 with Unibet is also appealing.
Focusing on players, Igor Jesus is the Europa League's joint-top scorer with seven goals, and ranks joint-third for shots on target (11) in his nine appearances.
Igor Jesus to have over 1.5 shots on target at 9/5 with Ladbrokes therefore seems a realistic punt to us.
> Under 2.5 goals at 21/20 | Likelihood: Probable
> Igor Jesus to have over 1.5 shots on target at 9/5 | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw at 11/4 | Likelihood: Outsider