Our prediction for this Champions League match:
A spot in the Champions League third qualifying round will be at stake when AEK Larnaca and Midtjylland face each other at AEK Arena on Tuesday. Midtjylland failed to turn their dominance into victory in the first leg, but they are still seen as favourites to advance to the next round. All Evander, Junior Brumado, and Lossi are likely to miss out with injuries for the visiting side, while Zambia winger Edward Chilufya should be recalled to the starting XI after coming as a substitute in a 3-1 loss to Silkeborg.
AEK Larnaca, on the other hand, have yet to kick off the new domestic campaign. The Cypriotes did well to hold Midtjylland to the 1-1 draw at MCH Arena, but seeing that the Danes dominated the match, we believe that away win should be considered. Jose Luis Oltra is unlikely to make changes to the team that faced Midtjylland a week ago.
Highlighted Player (Erik Sviatchenko):
Son to an Ukraininian-born artist Sergei Sviatchenko, the 24-year-old defender Erik joined Celtic in January 2016. His transition to the Scottish giants have been alleviated by Celtic’s signing of his girlfriend Rudmose, who signed for The Bhoys women’s team in February this year.
Erik Sviatchenko began his professional career at FC Midtjylland in 2009, where he had been a starter in almost all of his appearances for the club. Key player for Midtjylland, Sviatchenko helped them to Danish title in 2014-15 as we as in securing progression to the last 32 stage of the UEFA Europa League the following season. After seven years at the Danish side, Sviatchenko moved to Celtic on a four-year deal.
He has so far made 14 league appearances for Celtic, but still got the chance to wear the captain’s armband in May. Due to dual citizenship Erik Sviatchenko was eligible to play for Ukraine, but he agreed to a call-upfor the Danish national team in 2015. He has so far earned only five caps for his country.
Highlighted Team (Midtjylland):
Despite being founded on February 2, 1999, FC Midtjylland is considered one of the best Danish clubs. The Wolves have quickly established themselves as one of the dominant forces in Superliga, with the team clinching their first league title in the 2014/15 season.
Three seasons later Midtjylland repeated the success, with the team finishing the process four points clear of second-place Brondby. In the 2019/20 season the Wolves won their third domestic trophy, leaving Danish giants Copenhagen in the second place. Midtjylland welcome their rivals at MCH Arena, the venue which can hold up to 11,432 people.
In the 2020/21 season the Wolves did well to book their place in the Champions League group stages, with the team being grouped with the likes of Liverpool, Ajax, and Atalanta. Midtjylland are well known for their excellent scouting system, with a number of young and talented players from Africa joining the club year by year.