Feyenoord – Midtjylland : Preview & Prediction
It’s still all to play for in UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group F now that the group stage is halfway through, as all four teams are level on four points each with identical records of: G1, E1, P1. A draw after a two-goal lead last time out against Midtjylland was disappointing for Arne Slot-led Feyenoord, but they bounced back with a 2-0 home win over FC Twente to stay close to the Eredivisie leaders.
Feyenoord could have had this group all but wrapped up now after scoring the most goals in the eight UEL groups (ten), but that just goes to show that the main area of improvement is their defensive line. Still, anything less than a positive result for Feyenoord would be a surprise, as the Rotterdam side has scored an average of 3.3 goals per game in an unbeaten run of ten home games in European competitions (G9, E1).
The draw between these teams last week extended Midtjylland’s unwanted winless record against Dutch opposition (E1, P4), although a 1-0 Danish Super League win over AGF Aarhus over the weekend may serve to boost their confidence. In stark contrast to Feyenoord’s continental home form, Midtjylland have won just once in their last 13 European away games (90 minutes only: E5, P7), which points to a one-sided affair here.
That record perhaps looks a bit more impressive when considering only Midtjylland’s away games in the UEL proper (G2, E1, P5). If they can improve on that with a historic first win in the Netherlands, the Danish Cup champions will match their UEL points tally from their first group stage appearance of the 2015/16 season, when they finished second behind current Serie A leaders Napoli.
Players to watch: Orkun Kökçü has scored in the five minutes before halftime in Feyenoord’s last two matches, but the Dutch side won just three of their last six games in which they saw an opponent’s goal. Trying to overcome that, Midtjylland’s Anders Dreyer scored the winning goal in their last two victories and already knows what it’s like to play against Feyenoord as he used to defend for Eredivisie side Heerenveen.
Key statistic: None of Feyenoord’s last eight official matches have produced a goalless first half.
Feyenoord – Midtjylland : Betting Tips
OVER 2.5 GOALS Odds:2.25
