- FC Midtjylland have won both of their UEFA Europa League 2025-2026 meetings with Nottingham Forest, 1-0 in the first leg of this round of 16 and 3-2 in the league phase at the City Ground in November.
- FC 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 have won one, drawn one and lost three of their last five in all competitions, including a 0-1 home defeat to Midtjylland in the round of 16 first leg.
Tactical contrast in play at MCH Arena
FC Midtjylland and Nottingham Forest face a rare return to European action on Thursday when the winners progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League 2025-2026.
The game is a fascinating tactical contrast between the ultra-attacking, all-action FCM of Mike Tullberg and a much more pragmatic Nottingham Forest under Vítor Pereira.
Tullberg has turned Midtjylland’s fortunes around since his September 2025 appointment, instilling a high-energy pressing game, a vertical passing style and an analytics-driven set-piece strategy that has made the Wolves a tough nut to crack in Europe.
FCM are second in the Danish Superliga with 46 points, looking to dethrone the established powerhouses, but they are also on a roll in Europe.
With a 1 - 0 aggregate lead, home advantage and superior momentum, Midtjylland are the rightful favourites to progress through to the last eight of the competition, although Forest’s need for a historic result should ensure there is little to no hanging back in this all-action showdown.
Forest’s survival fight adds to narrative
Forest are in their own battle for survival in the Premier League, sitting 18th with 28 points from 29 games as they prepare for this crucial European night in midweek.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s replacement, Pereira, has been tasked with balancing the survival fight with European ambition, but he is unlikely to take any chances on Thursday.
His pragmatic game model is based on disciplined possession football with structured pressing and build-up through the midfield pivots.
Morgan Gibbs-White is the engine room to Forest’s attacking play, the creative hub through which most chances are created and the top scorer in the league, but the Magpies are still looking for a reliable goalscorer in the box.
Cho Gue-sung, who scored the only goal in the opening leg, is a constant threat from set-pieces and in the air for FCM, who have plenty of other attacking options in Franculino Djú, Aral Şimşir and Júnior Brumado.
Djú leads the line for Midtjylland, as the top goalscorer in the Superliga and Europa League, and adds pace and clinicality to the hosts’ attack.
Hosts have momentum and Forest are in trouble
Matz Sels has been a star for Forest, but defensive lapses and injuries have meant his ability to command his box and make important stops has been vital.
His talents will be tested again by the dynamic Danes, who look capable of causing Forest all sorts of problems at the MCH Arena.
Forest are slight underdogs at 53/50, but we feel 23/10 is a better price for the hosts, who also give the draw at 13/5.
We will go with a Midtjylland win in the draw no bet market as the likeliest outcome, but there’s enough of a narrative for a low-scoring draw to come in if Forest have enough to stop the home side making the breakthrough.
So we’re backing both teams to score in this clash (Yes at 31/50) as the market appears too tight. Cool and clear in Herning, the weather looks perfect for the energetic Danes, who will look to test their visitors’ tactical discipline in what should be a cracking game.
