Midtjylland vs Real Sociedad prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-02-12 17:45.
[p]Due to their break in domestic action, Midtjylland have been able to give the UEFA Europa League (UEL) their full attention of late, with each of their past three matches all coming in the competition (W1, D1, L1). That run of form helped them seal a place inside the top 24 and set up this play-off with Real Sociedad, but having exited at the first stage of the UEL knockout phase in their two previous forays (2015/16 and 2022/23), Midtjylland know history isn’t on their side. [/p]
[p]That point is only reinforced when looking at the record of Danish sides against Spanish opposition, with Superliga teams winning just two of their 24 matches against their La Liga counterparts (D8, L14). Midtjylland will hope to buck that trend, but just one win from their past five UEL games (D1, L3) will hardly inspire confidence, nor will the fact they conceded exactly two goals in four of those games.[/p]
[p]Real Sociedad have had far less time to prepare for this clash, having played three domestic games since their hosts last played. They have won three of their past four matches (L1), including on Sunday against Espanyol (2-1), yet all three of those wins came on home turf, with four of their past five competitive away games ending in defeat (W1).[/p]
[p]One of those losses was in this competition, a 3-1 defeat to Lazio three weeks ago, and that won’t have aided the confidence of another side who tend to falter at this stage. They’re actually without a win in a major European knockout game this century (D4, L9), with the last victory coming against fellow Spanish outfit Atlético Madrid back in 1998! [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Although not known for his goals, Midtjylland defender Ousmane Diao has scored before the 30th minute in two of his side’s past three home UEL matches. Opponent Brais Méndez is looking to score in a third successive game for Sociedad, having netted his side’s second goal of the game in each of his past two competitive appearances. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: No side has picked up fewer yellow cards across the competition than Midtjylland so far (eight). [/p]
[p][i]Written by David H[/i][/p]