- Home form: AaB Aalborg are unbeaten in five (W3, D2) in the 1st Division Relegation Group.
- Away form: Middelfart are without a win in five, having lost all of their last five fixtures.
- Head-to-head: AaB Aalborg have won the last three H2H meetings, including a 5-2 win in the reverse four weeks ago.
AaB are the class of the class
Form and odds
There is a yawning gap in both class and form between these two clubs and the bookmakers have priced AaB accordingly as 1.31 favorites for this Friday’s game. It is understandable why Middelfart are a 8.35 long shot for victory as they sit bottom of the 1st Division Relegation Group on just 12 points from 28 matches, but the hosts are an extremely tough proposition here.
The hosts have been in impressive form themselves and have a perfect opportunity to solidify their position at the top of the group on Friday. Steffen Højer’s side average 2.00 goals scored and 1.29 conceded per home game in the 1st Division Relegation Group and are unbeaten in their last three home league games (W2, D1).
Style and key players
Højer has overseen a possession-based, high-tempo, attacking 4-3-3 system this season that plays on the front foot, pressing aggressively and looking to control the ball and the flow of the game. They move the ball quickly, play wide and press in numbers, and have become a real force of nature in the division under his guidance.
Nicklas Helenius is in fantastic scoring form with five goals in his last three 1st Division Relegation Group matches. Jubril Adedeji has chipped in with three goals in AaB’s last five matches as they have found their scoring groove.
They will look to control the pace of this game and should have far too much quality for Middelfart, who must be desperate to halt the losing run and will look to make them work for their opportunities.
- Nicklas Helenius is in fantastic scoring form with five goals in his last three 1st Division Relegation Group matches.
- Jubril Adedeji has chipped in with three goals in AaB’s last five matches as they have found their scoring groove.
Away woes will be Middelfart’s downfall
Tactical approach
Kristoffer Johannsen’s Middelfart side have set up to survive, playing compact, pragmatic football and stifling opponents in a low block. Their approach sees them defend with numbers and only press when they can do so without getting caught out on the break, as they focus on limiting space rather than pressing high. Benjamin Zjajo has been their most prolific player in the Relegation Group but has just one goal in his last six matches.
Recent results and record
The visitors are likely to make this a difficult game for the home side at times, but their recent results suggest that the cracks are beginning to show. Johannsen’s team have lost three consecutive 1st Division away games and were hammered 5-1 at Aarhus Fremad in their most recent trip. Middelfart have won just one, drawn two and lost 11 of their 14 1st Division away matches this campaign and have never won away at AaB. They concede an average of 2.43 goals per away game, totalling 34 across the season.
Hosts should have the edge
We believe that the odds for an AaB win at home are a little low, but that’s testament to just how dominant they have been this campaign and how poor Middelfart have been. We expect the home team to dictate the game, create more than enough chances to win and most likely score a few goals.
The Over 2.5 goals selection has been added to the main selection as the visitors are capable of getting on the scoresheet themselves if they can pinch a few chances on the counterattack or from set pieces. AaB should have too much for Middelfart on Friday and a comfortable home win looks the most likely outcome.
