Midtjyllandvs.Real Sociedad

The hosts finished the League Phase in 20th place, while the visitors were two points better off in 13th position, securing them home advantage for the second leg.

Match preview

Midtjylland had to be content with being one of the unseeded teams in the knockout round playoff draw after they experienced mixed results in the league phase.

The Danish side started the main draw on the front foot, collecting seven points from their opening three matches, before they lost momentum with three consecutive defeats against FCSB, Eintracht Frankfurt and Porto.

However, they got their European campaign back on track with a 2-0 away win over Ludogorets, before Valdemar Byskov netted an 86th-minute equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw in their home meeting with Fenerbahce on matchday eight.

Midtjylland are now looking forward to making their third appearance in the Europa League knockout rounds, with the Danish side set to face Spanish opposition for the first time in European competition.

Thomas Thomasberg's side have had plenty of time to prepare for Thursday's fixture, having been out of competitive action since last month's draw against Fenerbahce due to Danish Superliga's winter break.

The hosts will look to make full use of home advantage in the first leg, but that may be easier said than done given the fact that they have won just one of their four home matches in the Europa League main draw this season (D2, L1).

Real Sociedad finished the League Phase two points above Midtjylland and one point adrift of the top eight after winning four, drawing one and losing three of their eight matches.

La Real started sluggishly with just one win in their opening four matches (D1, L3), before they finished the league phase with three wins in their final four games (L1).

Incidentally, Real Sociedad recorded all of those final three victories at the Reale Arena, beating Ajax, Dynamo Kiev and PAOK without conceding.

As a result, Imanol Alguacil's side will have the chance to record a fourth consecutive European home win in next week's second leg, but first, they will have to negotiate Thursday's trip to Denmark, with the visitors looking to claim their second Europa League away win of the season.

In contrast to their hosts, La Real have played three competitive matches since they wrapped up the League Phase, beating Osasuna in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals just days after losing to the same club in La Liga, before they recorded a 2-1 victory in Sunday clash with Espanyol thanks to goals from Sheraldo Becker and Brais Mendez.

Their hopes of picking up another win on Thursday may be tempered by the fact that Real Sociedad have failed to win any of their last 13 knockout matches in major European competition (D4, L9).

FC Midtjylland Europa League form:

W

L

L

L

W

D

FC Midtjylland form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

W

D

Real Sociedad Europa League form:

W

L

W

W

L

W

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

W

W

Team News

Cho Gue-sung has been left out of Midtjylland's squad for the knockout rounds as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury.

Goalkeeper Elias Rafn Olafsson is expected to be absent, having missed Midtjylland's last two competitive matches with an injury issue.

Winter addition Dani Silva has been added to the Europa League squad, with the Portuguese midfielder likely to feature among the substitutes.

As for Real Sociedad, they are expected to be without Aihen Munoz, who sat out the win over Espanyol due to an injury problem.

Hamari Traore and Alvaro Odriozola are unlikely to be ready, although the latter will have to serve a one-match ban anyway for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Centre-back Igor Zubeldia is available for selection, having returned to training after he missed Sunday's league game through injury.

Alguacil is set to make a few changes to his side, with Take Kubo, Mikel Oyarzabal and Mendez all in the frame to start against Midtjylland.

FC Midtjylland possible starting lineup:

Lossl; Mbabu, Diao, Bech Sorensen, Paulinho; Byskov, Andersson, Sorensen; Osorio, Simsir, Buksa

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Aramburu, Elustondo, Aguerd, Lopez; Zubimendi; Kubo, Sucic, Mendez, Gomez; Oyarzabal

We say: FC Midtjylland 1-1 Real Sociedad

Midtjylland will be looking to make full use of home advantage on Thursday, but after winning just one of their four home games in the league phase, we think that they could experience more frustration in front of their own supporters because we believe that Real Sociedad will do enough to hold their hosts to a draw.

Written by

Ben Sully

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