At the MCH Arena in Herning, Thursday, July 24, the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League will take place between Danish side FC Midtjylland and Scottish club Hibernian. The hosts officially kicked off their new season last weekend, starting their Danish Superliga campaign with a 3-3 draw against Odense. Thomas Thomasberg’s men are aiming to qualify for the upcoming Europa League group stage after finishing second in last season’s domestic league, missing out on reclaiming the 2023/24 Superliga title. The Danish Wolves will want to make the most of home advantage and their greater European experience compared to Hibernian. Last season, Midtjylland played in the Europa League, advancing through the group stage before being knocked out in the knockout round playoffs by Real Sociedad. They also featured in the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League group stage, where they faced a tough group that included Ajax, Atalanta, and Liverpool. Hibernian, after finishing third in the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership, are currently in pre-season and will make their competitive debut in this new campaign by participating in these Europa League qualifiers. This is a huge opportunity for David Gray’s side, especially considering the club has not reached the final stages of any European competition in recent history. Their most recent appearance in Europa League qualifiers came in the 2018/19 season, when they reached the third qualifying round. After years away from the continental spotlight, the Edinburgh-based side will be eager to get a positive result in Denmark, even if it seems unlikely they’ll emulate the golden era of the mid-1950s, when they reached the European Cup semi-finals (1955/56).

Midtjylland's Recent Form and Key Stats

Thomas Thomasberg’s side started the 2025/26 Danish Superliga with a 3-3 home draw against Odense, featuring a brace from Franculino and the first goal of the season from Buksa. Including pre-season friendlies, it marked their third consecutive unbeaten match, following 3-1 and 4-1 wins over Dynamo Kyiv and Slovan Bratislava.

Midtjylland have shown strong attacking form recently, scoring 14 goals in their last five matches. However, their defense has shown vulnerabilities, conceding 8 times during the same period. At home, the Danish side boasts a solid record, going unbeaten in their last five official matches at the MCH Arena, with four wins and one draw. That said, they have conceded at least once in seven of their last eight home fixtures.

Hibernian's Recent Form and Key Stats

The Scottish side is still in pre-season, with the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership not set to begin until the weekend of August 3. To prepare for the Europa League qualifiers, Hibernian have played several international friendlies, including defeats against Ajax (6-3) and Bournemouth (2-1), with their only win coming in a 3-2 result against German third-tier side RW Essen.

Hibernian’s pre-season highlighted significant defensive issues, with 12 goals conceded in five matches. Defense was already a major weakness last season, as they allowed 62 goals in 38 league matches (an average of 1.63 per game). Another concern is their away form: 5 wins, 5 draws, and 7 losses in the previous season. Including friendlies, Hibs have won just one of their last eight away games, though they’ve consistently managed to find the net.

Midtjylland vs Hibernian Prediction and Tactical Overview

According to the BetMines algorithm, the home side are strong favorites to win this first leg of the Europa League second qualifying round. The BetMines Midtjylland vs Hibernian prediction gives the Danes a 53% chance of victory (1X2 market - Home Win), while Hibernian’s chances of pulling off an upset stand at just 24%.

Midtjylland’s edge comes from their superior international experience, home advantage, and better match fitness, having already started their domestic season. Additionally, they are unbeaten in 9 of their last 10 matches. On the other hand, Hibernian have lost four of their last five away games.

As for goals, the BetMines algorithm predicts both teams will score. Thomasberg’s squad has both scored and conceded in eight of their last nine matches, while Hibernian have done the same in seven of their last nine. With both defenses struggling in recent games, this could turn into an open and entertaining match, with the hosts tipped as likely winners.

• BetMines Midtjylland vs Hibernian Prediction: Midtjylland to Win (sign 1) – 53%
  
  
• BetMines Midtjylland vs Hibernian Prediction: Both Teams to Score – 56%

Predicted Lineups Midtjylland vs Hibernian

MIDTJYLLAND (4-4-2): Lossl; Mbabu, Lee, Sorensen, Jensen; Osorio, Bravo, Silva, Gogorza; Buksa, Dju.
Coach: Thomasberg

HIBERNIAN (3-4-3): Smith; Iredale, O'Hora, Kiranga; C Cadden, McGrath, Levitt, N Cadden; Boyle, Bowie, Mulligan. Coach: Gray