Midtjylland vs AEK Larnaca Predictions

• Midtjylland have much more Champions League experience than newcomers AEK.
• Midtjylland have started their domestic campaign while AEK are yet to play competitively this season.
• AEK failed to score in five of their last eight away league games last season.

Great Danes can see off Cypriot threat

Midtjylland, Celtic’s conquerors in Champions League qualifying last season, look better equipped for a run to the group stages this year and can dish out some first-leg pain to newcomers AEK Larnaca.

The Wolves, who were pipped to the Danish Superliga title last season, will always see players come and go, but the arrival of Anders Dreyer from Russian football midway through the campaign gave them a much-needed boost in creativity. Bo Henriksen’s men won 12 of their 16 matches in which Dreyer featured and scored 2.19 goals per game on average.

Midtjylland got the current domestic campaign underway on Friday with a 1-1 home draw against Randers, but they had enough shots and chances to win the game comfortably. The Wolves mustered 21 shots in total, of which 11 were on target, and an xG figure of almost 2, so it’s fair to say they are nicely warmed up for this contest.

Hosts can win to nil in Herning

They’re likely to face an AEK team intent on defending for their lives with very little ambition to attack at MCH Arena, which should bring win to nil to the forefront of the betting options.

AEK coach Jose Luis Oltra took over in the summer after a career spent mainly in the Spanish second division where teams often operate with only one up front, so it would be no surprise to see him take that approach in Herning.

The Cypriot league doesn’t start until the end of August, so the visitors are at a clear disadvantage in their preparation, which has purely consisted of friendlies. Hence we are positive about the hosts’ chances of justifying their odds-on quote in match betting and feel they are worthy of support in the win-to-nil market. A 2-0 first-leg win should be well within their compass.

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