Southampton have it all to do when they travel to Denmark on Thursday to face FC Midtjylland in the second leg of their Europa League playoff tie. The Danes clinched a 1-1 draw at St Mary's last week, a result which gives them a good chance of qualifying after the home leg. A goalless draw would put the Danish champions through, but any win for Southampton (or a high-scoring draw) will see them advance to the group stage.
Tim Sparv scored a crucial away goal for Danish champions FC Midtjylland last week after they were dropped out of the Champions League due to an away goals defeat to APOEL. They are doing great in the domestic league, they are leading the table with 14 points out of six games. However, they have drawn their last three matches in all competitions. They haven't reached the group stages of the Europa League since 2007.
Southampton have won just one of their five official matches so far this season and are currently 18th in the Premier League table with just two points out of three games. Last weekend they were held to a goalless draw by newly-promoted Watford. In fact, they have scored just one goal in their last three games. Sadio Mane might miss out after picking up an injury last weekend, while Jordy Clasie and Ryan Bertrand remain sidelined.
Probable line-ups:
Midtjylland: Dahlin - Romer, Hansen, Sviatchenko, Lauridsen - Sisto, Poulsen, Sparv, Royer - Andersson, Rasmussen
Southampton: Stekelenburg - Cedric, Yoshida, Caulker, Fonte, Targett - Wanyama, Romeu, Rodriguez - Long, Pelle
My prediction: Southampton to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Midtjylland win - 3.75 Draw - 3.40 Southampton win - 2.00
mdacic 8 years ago
I am not sure how that happened. Football in England is on much higher level than in Denmark and this is the biggest surprise in qualification for European competitions. I think that Southampton didn't play serious and that they though that this will be too easy but well done to Midjylland, they played with full commitment...
I am not sure how that happened. Football in England is on much higher level than in Denmark and this is the biggest surprise in qualification for European competitions. I think that Southampton didn't play serious and that they though that this will be too easy but well done to Midjylland, they played with full commitment and they deserved win.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
This is miracle. I didn't believe that this can happen. One big club from premier league must be batter than team from Denmark but Midjylland show us how they fight and they wanted more this Europa league and that was their key for success. I think that they deserved to play in group phase of Europa league and I congratulate...
This is miracle. I didn't believe that this can happen. One big club from premier league must be batter than team from Denmark but Midjylland show us how they fight and they wanted more this Europa league and that was their key for success. I think that they deserved to play in group phase of Europa league and I congratulate them on that.
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rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
This is big surprise. Southampton lost 1-0 and they are out of Europa League group stage. I think that is big loss for football fans, because Southampton is great team. But, in this two matches they didn't show that. Midtjyilland were better and they deservedly passed to group stage.
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Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
This will be very interesting game.Firt game ended as a 1 1 draw,so Southampthon is the team that must attack.It wont be easy for them,cause Mydtjilland is pretty good team.I suppose there will be a lot of goals ,so my prediciton is over 2.5 goals. Southampton did not lost in last 4 matches away,so they are full of confidence...
This will be very interesting game.Firt game ended as a 1 1 draw,so Southampthon is the team that must attack.It wont be easy for them,cause Mydtjilland is pretty good team.I suppose there will be a lot of goals ,so my prediciton is over 2.5 goals. Southampton did not lost in last 4 matches away,so they are full of confidence ahead of this clah.
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advoghado 8 years ago
I think it will be a truncated game, although I think that Southampton has a team a little better than Midtjylland, I believe that the Danish team goes to the next stage of the Europa League. The away goal, and the advantage of playing in their own stadium now, with the help of their fans, are factors that can make a difference,...
I think it will be a truncated game, although I think that Southampton has a team a little better than Midtjylland, I believe that the Danish team goes to the next stage of the Europa League. The away goal, and the advantage of playing in their own stadium now, with the help of their fans, are factors that can make a difference, and Southampton has not won in the BPL yet.
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sharpe 8 years ago
Will be a tough game for the English side and I will be not surprised if they are out of the tournament after this one. I've watched parts of the first match and Midtjylland even had their chances to win it. Anyway this is tough game for predictions and every result is possible. Think that both teams will have their chances.
Will be a tough game for the English side and I will be not surprised if they are out of the tournament after this one. I've watched parts of the first match and Midtjylland even had their chances to win it. Anyway this is tough game for predictions and every result is possible. Think that both teams will have their chances.
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seculla 8 years ago
Many of football fans expected an "easy" win for Southamton in England on St Mary's Stadium, but we were all "shocked" after the match. Midtjylland scored a goal and not just that, but they succeed to stay unbeaten. The result from the first match keep all options open and anything can happen tomorrow. I still believe that...
Many of football fans expected an "easy" win for Southamton in England on St Mary's Stadium, but we were all "shocked" after the match. Midtjylland scored a goal and not just that, but they succeed to stay unbeaten. The result from the first match keep all options open and anything can happen tomorrow. I still believe that Southampton are way better team and that they will qualify in group stage in Europa League, but it will be hard.
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