The second leg of the Europa League round of 16 between FC Midtjylland and Nottingham Forest promises to be a tense and decisive encounter. The Danish side holds a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg and will now look to finish the job in front of their home supporters. For the visitors, this is a must-win situation — they need to score at least twice to overturn the deficit and keep their European campaign alive. With both teams struggling for consistency in their domestic leagues, this clash could hinge on small details and moments of brilliance.

FC Midtjylland’s Recent Form and Key Stats

FC Midtjylland enter this decisive match with confidence, having maintained an impressive record in the Europa League this season. Their campaign so far reads 11 wins, 3 draws, and just 1 defeat, with an average of 2.1 goals scored and 0.7 conceded per match. The Danish side has shown remarkable consistency in attack, finding the net in each of their last 13 Europa League games and in 12 consecutive home fixtures in the competition.

Despite a recent 0-1 loss to Nordsjælland in domestic action, Midtjylland’s overall form remains solid — 2 wins, 2 draws, and 1 defeat in their last five outings, averaging 1.2 goals scored and 0.4 conceded. Their ability to strike in the second half has been particularly notable, with over 0.5 goals scored after the break in 28 of their last 30 matches. This resilience often allows them to control games even when starting slowly.

In the first leg, the Wolves demonstrated their defensive strength, keeping a clean sheet away from home. They have now won both meetings against Nottingham Forest this season, scoring an average of 2 goals per game in those encounters. A draw would be enough to send them through, but given their attacking rhythm and home advantage, they will likely aim to secure another victory to underline their dominance.

• Europa League ranking: 1st in their group


• At least one goal scored in 28 of their last 30 matches


• Won at half time in 9 of their last 13 Europa League games


• Five clean sheets since the start of the league phase

Nottingham Forest’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Nottingham Forest arrive in Herning facing a steep challenge. Their recent form has been worrying, with no wins in their last six matches across all competitions. In their last five games, they have recorded 2 draws and 3 defeats, scoring an average of 0.8 goals while conceding 1.4. Their most recent outing ended in a 0-0 draw against Fulham, underlining their current attacking struggles.

In the Europa League, Forest’s record stands at 5 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses, with an average of 1.7 goals scored and 0.9 conceded. However, they have lost their last two European matches and failed to score in both. Away from home, their performances have been inconsistent — they have lost at half time in 7 of their last 10 away fixtures, which could be a concern against a side as efficient as Midtjylland.

Forest’s injury list is extensive, with several key players unavailable. Their leading scorer in the competition, Igor Jesus, has not found the net in six matches, while Morgan Gibbs-White has also gone two games without scoring. With Chris Wood and Dan Ndoye among the absentees, the English side will need to rely on collective effort and tactical discipline to stay in contention.

• Europa League ranking: 2nd in their group


• Only 1 win in their last 10 matches overall


• Under 0.5 goals in 3 of their last 14 matches


• Lost their last two European games without scoring

FC Midtjylland vs Nottingham Forest Tactical Overview

This second leg is set up as a classic battle between a team looking to defend a narrow lead and another desperate to chase the game. FC Midtjylland will likely focus on maintaining their compact defensive shape while exploiting spaces on the counterattack. Their ability to score late goals and control the tempo in the second half could prove decisive once again.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, must take more risks. They need at least two goals to progress, which could leave them exposed at the back. Their recent lack of cutting edge in attack is a major concern, especially against a side that has kept multiple clean sheets in Europe this season. The visitors’ best hope lies in pressing high and forcing mistakes, but doing so against a disciplined opponent could backfire.

Historically, this matchup has been tight — both previous meetings were decided by a single goal. However, the momentum and statistics clearly favor the Danish side, who have shown both attacking depth and defensive reliability throughout the campaign.

Prediction and Betting Insight

Based on the available data and recent performances, FC Midtjylland appear better positioned to advance. Their home form, scoring consistency, and superior defensive record make them the logical favorites. Nottingham Forest will fight hard, but their poor run of results and injury concerns could limit their chances of a comeback.

FC Midtjylland vs Nottingham Forest prediction from BetMines:
Home Win (1) with 53% probability.