Midtjylland vs Sporting – Analysis, Prediction, Team News

As part of our Europa League predictions, we preview Sporting’s trip to the MCH Arena. Following a 1-1 draw as 11/1 outsiders, can the Danes shock Sporting with home advantage? Read on with our Midtjylland vs Sporting prediction.

Midtjylland vs Sporting Match Preview

Midtjylland were the surprise package of Europa League Group F, finishing as runners-up to Feyenoord as all four sides finished with eight points and were separated only via goal difference. In order the achieve this highly impressive feat, the Danes hammered Lazio 5-1 at home as 11/4 outsiders and earned two 2-2 draws with Feyenoord.

They managed to defeat Austria’s Sturm Graz in their final group match to pip Lazio to second on goal difference, which highlights the value of that memorable night. Domestically, things have not been going well for the Danes perhaps as a result of a stretched squad competing on all fronts. However, they demolished Viborg away from home on the weekend 4-0 and will be heading into this tie in confident mood.

Sporting dropped down from the Champions League as a result of both losing three of their four final group matches and blowing a 1-0 lead at home to Eintracht Frankfurt which would have ensured their passage to the Champions League knockout stage. As it stands, Sporting now face a difficult away tie to progress to the Europa League knockout rounds.

Though lagging behind Benfica, Porto and Braga in Liga Portugal, they picked up three points on the weekend away to mid-table Chaves, in a 3-2 victory that was far more difficult than it perhaps needed to be. With two efforts chalked off by VAR and a missed penalty, Chaves scored a second goal deep in injury time to set up a tense finish and also highlight Sporting’s problems with holding onto leads in matches.

The first leg last week at the Estádio José Alvalade was a case of profligacy versus efficiency. Sporting dominated the game and created a hatful of chances, as evidenced by their xG stat of 2.82. That only two of these efforts registered on target is testament to said profligacy. Sporting dominated their opponents in the first half but missed a glut of chances including an open goal.

The Danes began to threaten in the second half and eventually, Midtjylland got their break towards the end of the second half following a dreadful pass from Sporting goalkeeper Adan. Sporting’s pressure eventually told in the 94th minute to equalise at 1-1, and now they face a stern test of both their ability and character.

Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Midtjylland:

Might Not Play:

Will Not Play:

Sporting:

Might Not Play: Essugo

Will Not Play: Braganca

Midtjylland vs Sporting Lineups (Predicted)

Midtjylland (4-3-3): Lossl; Paulinho, Gartenmann, Sviatchenko, Andersson;  Martinez, Gimenez, Olsson; Andreasen, Isaksen, Heiselberg

Sporting (3-4-3): Adan; Mattheus Reis, Coates, St. Juste; Santos, Ugarte, Morita, Bellerin; Pedro Goncalves, Edwards, Paulinho

Our Prediction

While this site is called Beat the Bookmaker and we are in the business of making football predictions (naturally), who really knows with this one? Sporting outplayed their opponents in the first half and could, and really should, have been out of sight. However, Midtjylland deserve plenty of credit for regrouping in the second half and providing a threat of their own, for which they were duly rewarded. Sporting will be grateful that the situation isn’t worse for them as they equalised in the final minute of injury time but not before Midtjylland went close again.

Therefore, what can we say? We expect that Sporting have the tools to dominate the Danes again, even away from home, but this doesn’t seem to matter too much when it comes to Midtjylland’s adventures in Europe. Yes, Sporting should have taken the lead, but Midtjylland do defend doggedly and it’s no coincidence that Sporting registered just two shots on target even if they were the architects of their own downfall.

We expect this match to follow the pattern of the second half more closely than the first. Midtjylland have home advantage, they’ve earned the right to be here and they capably demonstrated in that second-half display that they can generate opportunities and hurt the Lisbon side. Sporting for their part need to replicate their first-half display but they can’t afford to be wasteful here. Though obviously, teams can’t afford to be wasteful in general, what we mean is that the Danes have proven throughout this European campaign that they can make the most of the chances they get. A narrow, nervy win for Sporting that could even go to extra time.

Midtjylland 1-2 Sporting

Midtjylland vs Sporting Betting Tip – Sporting Odds: