FC Midtjylland face one of their biggest tests in the Europa Conference League group stage when they host Dutch giants Ajax at MCH Arena on Thursday at 18:45. The team enters the match with significant momentum from a strong run of domestic form.
The club currently sits top of the Superliga with 31 points from 13 games, holding a two-point lead over FC Copenhagen. With a record of nine wins and four draws, they have scored 27 goals and conceded 15. The latest victory came on Sunday 1st November, where they came from two goals down to beat FC Nordsjaelland 3-2 away. An own goal sparked the comeback before Kjell-Arik Wätjen and Sofus Johannesen's late strike secured a dramatic win.
Team's Momentum
FC Midtjylland are on a four-game winning streak in the league, part of an overall recent form of four wins and one loss in their last five matches. A cup win over OB was followed by a 3-2 league victory against Lyngby on 25th October and a 2-1 win over Odense on 29th October, before the dramatic comeback in Farum. The only recent blemish was a 0-1 defeat to Belgian side St. Truiden in Europe on 22nd October. Striker F. Etim is the club's top scorer this season with 6 goals in 13 appearances.
The team's last starting XI in a 3-4-3 formation against Nordsjaelland featured: N. Bakker, O. Diao, A. Maxsø, M. Bech, R. Kristensen, P. Bravo, P. Billing, V. Bak Jensen, M. Rajović, S. Iheanacho, and F. Etim. The manager has a strong base to build upon.
The Opponent Ajax
Ajax arrive in Herning in good form themselves. They have won four of their last five Eredivisie matches, including a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar last weekend. Their only loss in that spell was against HNK Hajduk Split in Europe. They lined up with M. ter Stegen in goal, a back four of Lucas Rosa, A. Bouwman, Y. Baas, and O. Wijndal, and a midfield and attack featuring J. Mokio, S. Amrabat, J. Brandt, D. Klaassen, T. Arokodare, and A. Ouazane.
The match is a key opportunity for FC Midtjylland to take a major step towards progression in the competition. After the European fixture, a home league match against Sønderjyske awaits on Sunday 8th November, with the opponent sitting 12th in the table.
