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Europa League | League Stage
Nov 7, 2024 at 5.45pm UK
Arena Nationala
Midtjylland

FCSB
2 - 0
Midtjylland

Tanase (16'), Birligea (46')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Buksa (89')

Preview: FCSB vs. FC Midtjylland - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between FCSB and FC Midtjylland, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Romanian champions FCSB are set to host Danish champions FC Midtjylland in their fourth Europa League game of the season on Thursday at Arena Nationala.

The home team are 13th with six points in the Europa League table and lost 4-0 against Rangers on October 24, while the visitors are seventh with seven points after three matchweeks and beat Union SG 1-0 on October 24.


Match preview

Joyskim Dawa of FCSB on July 4, 2024© Imago

FCSB were thoroughly outplayed by Rangers in their last Europa League outing given they created no big chances and produced just seven shots in contrast to their opponents' two big chances and 23 shots.

To their credit, the hosts were dominant during their 4-1 win in their first match of the competition against RFS in late September, and they also managed to hold onto a 1-0 lead against PAOK in their second game on October 3 despite being reduced to 10 men after 56 minutes.

The Red and Blues are currently sixth in the Romanian top flight with 21 points from 14 league matches, and should they win their game in hand on leaders Universitatea Cluj, they will be six points from first place.

Boss Ilias Charalampous's side have won three, drawn one and lost two of their six most recent Europa League games, conceding eight goals and scoring on seven occasions in that time.

FCSB have earned just one victory from their last four games, drawing twice and being defeated once, though they did win the prior five matches.

Charalampous's team have proven difficult to beat in recent weeks at Arena Nationala considering they have prevailed in four and drawn two of their last six fixtures at home.

Thomas Thomasberg of FC Midtjylland after his side's draw against FC Copenhagen on September 14, 2024© Imago

Opponents Midtjylland took the lead against Union SG in the 18th minute thanks to Ousmane Diao, whose goal was their 10th shot of the match.

The Danish champions only had five attempts in the remainder of that game, but despite USG producing 12 of their 13 shots after Diao's goal, Bonderne held on to claim all three points.

Manager Thomas Thomasberg will be pleased that his team lead the way in the Danish top flight with 27 points from a possible 42, though they are only one point clear of second-placed AGF and third-placed Copenhagen.

Thomasberg's side have lost four and won two of their six most recent matches, conceding 11 goals and scoring six times in that period.

The visitors have also fallen short in their last three away games and have triumphed in just three of their last 13 fixtures on the road in the Europa League, losing six and drawing four.

FCSB Europa League form:


FCSB form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • D

FC Midtjylland Europa League form:


FC Midtjylland form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L


Team News

Aral Simsir of FC Midtjylland during his side's draw against FC Copenhagen on September 14, 2024© Imago

The hosts are likely to start Stefan Tarnovanu in goal, and he may be shielded by centre-backs Mihai Popescu and Joyskim Dawa.

Malcom Edjouma could be joined in a midfield three by Adrian Sut and Alexandru Baluta, while Mihai Lixandru is ruled out as a result of injury.

Winger Octavian Popescu was forced off last time out against Universitatea Craiova on November 3, so perhaps FCSB will field a frontline consisting of David Miculescu, Alexandru Pantea and Daniel Birligea.

The Danish side come into the clash without suspended midfielder Emiliano Martinez, while wide player Aral Simsir will also miss out.

Marrony is expected to be unavailable for a few more days, though Edward Chilufya, Gue-Sung Cho, Paulinho and Victor Lind have a chance to feature on Thursday.

Mikel Gogorza could start in place of Simsir, while Kristoffer Askildsen may come in for Martinez, and he is likely to be partnered in midfield by Oliver Sorensen.


FCSB possible starting lineup:
Tarnovanu; Cretu, Popescu, Dawa, Radunovic; Edjouma, Sut, Baluta; Miculescu, Birligea, Birligea

FC Midtjylland possible starting lineup:
Olafsson; Mbabu, Diao, B Sorensen, Andersson; Osorio, O Sorensen, Askildsen, Gogorza; Buksa, Kuchta


SM words green background

We say: FCSB 2-1 FC Midtjylland

Midtjylland do not boast the strongest away record in the Europa League, and given their struggles of late, it would not be surprising if they dropped points on the road once again.

Additionally, FCSB have been difficult to beat at home, and they should come into Thursday's clash as favourites.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Game History

How you voted: FCSB vs Midtjylland

FCSB
65.5%
Draw
12.6%
FC Midtjylland
21.8%
119
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Romania coach Edward Iordanescu before the match on June 19, 2023
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League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


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