FC Midtjylland and Sporting CP finished 1-1 in Lisbon a week ago in their Europa League last-16 playoff first leg. Now, the teams will lock horns once more in a winner-take-all second leg at the MCH Arena in Midtjylland.
The first leg had a great finish with FC Midtjylland scoring in the 77th minute through Emam Ashour. Sporting looked done for, but in the 90th minute found a leveller. Defender Sebastian Coates scored on the stroke of full-time to give the Lions a first-leg draw.
FC Midtjylland and Sporting CP have everything to play for on Thursday night. The Danish side will hope the first-leg draw will inspire them to better results.
The Wolves entered the first leg of the Europa League last-16 playoffs on a run of poor form. The team failed to win their previous three fixtures. After the draw with Sporting last Thursday, FC Midtjylland picked up a 4-0 away win versus Viborg in the Danish Superliga.
Sporting also picked up a win at the weekend, as they dispatched Chaves 3-2 away from home. The Lions now have an away record of 8W-3D-6L in all competitions, and a goal difference of +2. FC Midtjylland have a home record of 4W-5D-5L and a goal difference of –1.
Ruben Amorim has just one injury heading into the fixture on Thursday. Sporting CP midfielder Daniel Braganca is a major doubt following a ligament injury.
Forward Pedro Goncalves leads Sporting in goals with 12 in all competitions. He is the only Sporting player with double-digit goals this season. Former Tottenham academy player Marcus Edwards is second in scoring with eight goals.
FC Midtjylland manager Albert Capellas joined the team last summer. After a slow start and a run of poor domestic form, Capellas may have turned the corner. He will be without two players for the match.
Midfielder Victor Bak Jensen is out with an illness. Meanwhile, Junior Brumado won’t play following an injury. Defender Mads Thychosen is available despite being banned domestically.
The Danish team is led in goals by the combination of Anders Dreyer and Gustav Isaksen. The duo has scored 10 goals apiece in all tournaments.
Sporting CP came from behind at the death to draw 1-1 with FC Midtjylland in the first leg. This time, the Lions won’t take FC Midtjylland lightly, as they pick up a 2-0 away win. Midtjylland’s home record doesn’t make for great reading and the strong Sporting squad should win the match.