Midtjylland vs AEK Larnaca

MCH Arena plays host to the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round first-leg showdown between Midtjylland and AEK Larnaca.

Midtjylland got their new Danish Superliga season off to a false start, drawing 1-1 with Randers at home. Yet, last season’s Superliga runners-up have gone unbeaten in seven consecutive home matches across all competitions (W4, D3) since a 1-0 defeat to arch-rivals Copenhagen in mid-March. Midtjylland’s recent home fixtures have been notably tight, though, as six of their last eight have featured a full-time margin of under 1.5 goals. Pre-season friendlies included, the home side’s last four fixtures have seen both teams on the scoresheet (W2, D1, L1), highlighting the potential for back-and-forth action. Bo Henriksen’s men can draw confidence from successfully negotiating the Champions League second qualifying round ties in both previous attempts.

In the meantime, AEK Larnaca’s pre-season tour pleased the eye of neutrals, as their three summer friendlies all featured both sides scoring 2+ goals (W1, D2). An unbeaten off-season record forms part of AEK’s morale-boosting six-game undefeated streak (W3, D3), supporting their hopes of defying the odds in Denmark. Adding to this sentiment, the ‘Kitrinoprasinoi’ have got on the scoreboard in their last 12 outings, suggesting they won’t be spectators at MCH Arena. Worryingly, though, they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine competitive away fixtures, spanning back to mid-February, conceding 2+ goals in four of them.