Midtjylland vs Malmo FF Predictions

This UEFA Europa League play-off tie was always likely to be a close one between teams from neighbouring countries. The 1st Leg only seemed to confirm that and Midtjylland and Malmo remain all square heading into the return game in Denmark, with a place in the group stage at stake for the winners.

This tie features the champions of Denmark and Sweden from last season but neither side could make any impact on the Champions League and have subsequently dropped down to Europe’s secondary competition. Therefore, it would be a huge blow for either club to be knocked out of the Europa League also before the group phase. Midtjylland did their chances of avoiding that fate the world of good by drawing 2-2 in Malmo last week with a fine Second Half comeback from the Danes wrestling back control of this tie.

A low-scoring draw is all they now need at home to get through, thanks to those two away goals but Malmo won’t give up without a fight. They’ve already been knocked out of the Champions League on away goals and it would be a bitter pill to swallow were that to happen again here and there is now the real possibility that they could end up suffering two European exits in the same season without losing a single match.

They do look capable of avoiding defeat here and Midtjylland are perhaps a little short at around 10/11 with the bookies, when you consider Malmo are yet to lose in 14 matches under current boss Uwe Rosler and are unbeaten in 16 overall. The Swedish champions have recovered from a very poor start to the 2018 season under the German’s stewardship and a thumping 5-0 win in the league over the weekend has seen them move into the top four.

For Midtjylland the dilemma may be choosing whether to stick or twist. They would gladly take a 0-0 or 1-1 draw but can’t really afford to play for that outcome, initially at least. Their overall form is pretty good too and all the signs are that these sides are fairly evenly matched overall, so it would be no surprise if this one remains level heading into the final half hour. If that situation comes to pass, Midtjylland will increasingly look to tighten up and there looks to be value in backing Malmo or Draw Double Chance here with the Swedes having not lost since mid-May, despite their league running through the summer.