- Midtjylland have won both Europa League games against Nottingham Forest this season, including a 1-0 away win in the first leg of this round of 16 tie.
- FC Midtjylland have won four of their last five matches in all competitions, drawing one, scoring 14 goals and keeping two clean sheets in their last three games.
- Nottingham Forest have won one, drawn one and lost three of their last five games in all competitions, losing 0-1 at home to Midtjylland in the last round.
FC Midtjylland can make most of momentum advantage
FC Midtjylland have a narrow aggregate lead to protect, superior home form and much more momentum than Nottingham Forest heading into this Thursday’s second leg of their UEFA Europa League 2025-2026 round of 16 clash.
The Danish hosts are second in the Danish Superliga with 46 points, and are very much in the chase for the domestic title, but their season will live or die on this Thursday.
Vítor Pereira’s side are slight long shots at 2.06 with the draw at 3.6 and Midtjylland at 3.3, which is about right given the hosts’ 1-0 advantage and home advantage. The market for both teams to score (Yes at 1.62) is very strong and the aggregate score should keep this game relatively open.
Pereira’s plan for Forest
Pereira has his work cut out to keep Forest up in the Premier League as the Tricky Trees sit 18th with 28 points from 29 games. The Portuguese boss is the fourth manager Forest have had this season and has the difficult task of trying to juggle their relegation fight with the European campaign.
His side have shown a more pragmatic and structured approach to the game since he arrived at the City Ground in February 2026. Igor Jesus has been their main goalscorer across all competitions and is their primary goal threat.
Midtjylland have enough of a targetman in Cho Gue-sung, who scored the only goal of the first-leg, to give them a presence in the air and on set pieces. He can be a constant threat in the box and should cause problems for the Forest defence. Morgan Gibbs-White, Forest’s creative hub and top league scorer, has to be their primary source of goals and chances.
Tullberg’s team have a tactical edge
Mike Tullberg has had a similar effect on Midtjylland since becoming head coach in September 2025, instilling a high-energy, pressing style that opens up the game with vertical passing and overloads in wide areas. Aral Şimşir and Júnior Brumado can stretch the opposition defence and time their runs well to arrive late in the area, but Franculino Djú is the main man up front and the club's top scorer, contributing in both the Superliga and Europa League.
The Herning club have some momentum and the cool, clear weather should suit their style of play as the visitors will have to remain compact and disciplined against a chaotic, high-tempo team. Pereira has been getting Forest to play in a more controlled way, focusing on discipline in possession and transition with their midfield pivots.
They have enough tactical quality to plug gaps and should be able to hit Midtjylland on the counter-attack at times. A low-scoring draw or a narrow home win for Midtjylland seems the most likely outcome in what should be a tense affair as Forest need a historic European result to get through. The Danes will probably dominate possession in the early stages and can take their time before ramping up the pressure when Forest have to come out to chase an equaliser.
