FC Midtjylland-FC Nordsjælland

Saturday 22/3 17.00

Revenge is the code word for this match after both teams suffered bitter defeats last weekend. FC Midtjylland (1st) lost against fellow title challengers AaB (1-0) in a fairly equal match. FC Midtjylland have not been overly impressive during the first matches apart from a 5-1 win against FC Copenhagen. They have made a lot of changes in the line-up (most of them forced) and it is a probable reason for the instability. For this match they will welcome back strong midfielder Petter Andersson from suspension. It is only the injury to key central defender Erik Sviatchenko that prevents FC Midtjylland from fielding the strongest eleven in the upcoming match. FC Midtjylland are a strong home team and they have the league’s second highest home SoTR of 61%. FC Nordsjælland (8th), the runner-up last year, are a surprise visitor to the relegation fight. They have made a lot of changes this season and combined with a load of injuries they have lacked consistency (and maybe also used players who are simply not good enough). Nevertheless it is especially their away performances that have brought them into trouble. With only four points earned from a possible 30 it is only good home performances that have kept them above the relegation line. And FC Nordsjælland arrive to this match from their only 2nd loss at home the entire season (against FC Vestsjælland) so it must be a FC Nordsjælland team in poor shape. FC Nordsjælland were without several key players in that match. Captain and central midfielder Nicolai Stokholm will be back, while players like Morten Nordstrand, Martin Vingaard (highly unlikely) and Anders Christiansen might return. They are all suffering from minor injuries. If they are not available FC Nordsjælland should definitely not expect their poor away record to improve.

Although the absence of Sviatchenko is vital for FC Midtjylland, we regard them as solid favourites for this match. FC Nordsjælland have a lot of injury issues (several long-term not mentioned here) and their line-up in recent matches have not been impressive. When you add the horrendous attitude they show when they play outside their own artificial turf in Farum, we should have a one-sided affair.

Tip of the Week: 1 – 2.05 at Unibet