- Head-to-head: Midtjylland have beaten Nottingham Forest in both UEFA Europa League meetings this season, winning 1 - 0 in the round of 16 first leg and 3 - 2 at the City Ground in the league phase.
- Midtjylland form: Midtjylland have won four and drawn one of their last five matches in all competitions, scoring 14 goals, and keeping two clean sheets in their last three.
- Nottingham Forest form: Nottingham Forest have won one, drawn one, and lost three of their last five in all competitions, losing 0 - 1 to Midtjylland at home in the first leg.
Midtjylland vs Nottingham Forest to decide Europa League quarter-finalist
FC Midtjylland are enjoying a meteoric rise to the last eight of the UEFA Europa League 2025-2026 after Mike Tullberg took over as head coach in September 2025. The Danish side have won each of their Europa League fixtures with Nottingham Forest this season, including the first-leg of this round of 16 tie 1 - 0 in the City Ground.
Tullberg has turned Midtjylland into a relentlessly high-tempo, vertical football team who press opponents and force turnovers in wide areas to play into their creative players. FC Midtjylland create and release their attackers with a style of play that can be best described as chaotic, and they use data to maximise set pieces and marginal gains.
With 46 points, the Herning side are currently sitting second in the Danish Superliga and have a genuine chance of winning the domestic title. Midtjylland’s form is red-hot at the moment and they have plenty of momentum to carry into their second-leg encounter with Forest.
Pereira must balance survival with European dream
Manager and approach
Vítor Pereira was Forest’s fourth manager of the 2025/26 season when he took charge in February 2026, and the Portuguese coach has done a solid job so far to stabilise the team and create a style of soccer that suits the players at his disposal. Forest’s approach is much more measured, structured, and pragmatic than the hosts in this clash and Pereira sets his team up to be disciplined in possession and transitions, whilst also being organised enough to stop the opposition when out of possession.
Key players
Morgan Gibbs-White is the creative engine in Forest’s midfield, whilst Igor Jesus is the top scorer in all competitions for the Tricky Trees and will again be the focal point of the Forest attack on Thursday.
Game of the round could go either way
Forest currently sit 18th in the Premier League table with 28 points from 29 games and are in the thick of a relegation battle. The pressure of staying up alongside a European campaign that could take them to the Europa League quarter-finals must be intense for the Forest players on Thursday.
The market reflects the aggregate score-line with Forest priced as slight underdogs at 2.06, whilst Midtjylland are 3.3 and the Draw 3.6. I will be siding with the hosts, who have the aggregate lead, better form, and superior momentum in this tie at 3.3.
Nottingham Forest have enough goal power to keep it close
Attacking threats
FC Midtjylland have the pace and creativity to hurt Forest in this game, and the momentum to see it through, while Forest have goal power in attack, even if they are not clicking at the moment.
- Cho Gue-sung’s goal was the difference between the sides in the first-leg and he provides Midtjylland with a real aerial threat on set pieces and in the box.
- Aral Şimşir and Júnior Brumado can provide additional penetration and pace in the second half of games and can stretch the Forest defence when they come on late.
- Franculino Djú leads the line for Midtjylland.
- He is always a threat.
- Matz Sels is Forest’s most important player as their goalkeeper can stop shots, while Forest’s defensive weaknesses and lack of pace were evident in the 3-2 defeat in the league game.
Tactical test and conditions
Nottingham Forest will come into this game with a clear game plan, but Pereira’s side will be tested by the high-octane nature of Midtjylland’s style of football, especially in the heat of a European tie. With cool, clear conditions in Herning, FC Midtjylland will be able to play their football at their best, and Nottingham Forest will have to produce a disciplined, tactical display if they are to have a chance of progressing.
Both teams to score looks a sure bet in this encounter at 1.62, as Forest will look to get on the scoresheet, whilst the momentum of Midtjylland’s surprise Europa League run should continue in a low-scoring draw or 1-0 win for the home side.
