Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Midtjylland
Match Time & Date:
01/08/2018
01:00 PM
Prediction: 2-0
FC Astana
Seeing that only goal separated Astana and Midtjylland in the first leg, a close encounter is on the cards at MCH Arena. Astana aim to defend their slim lead in Wednesday’s football match, but seeing that Midtjylland are a real force to be reckoned with at home, the visitors face an uphill task in the return leg. The Danes scored a vital away goal in the 2-1 loss to the Kazakhs a week ago, meaning that a 1-0 win will see them book their place in the third qualifying round. Midtjylland coach Jeff Thorup has several high-profile footballers to choose from and we predict that they are going to prove their worth on the field. One of the men to watch in the home team will be Nigerian attacker Onuachu, who scored 10 goals in the national championship last term. Taking everything into account, home win should be considered.
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 (FC Astana):
Astana are a professional football club based in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Blue and Yellows were founded in 2009 and five years later they won their first Kazakhstan Premier League trophy. Astana managed to defend their title in 2015, with the team finishing the season just one point clear of Kairat in the standings.
The Kazakhs participated in the Champions League group stages in the 2015/2016 season, but they failed to record a win in the elite competition. However, it has to be noted that they managed to hold star-studded Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw in front of home fans. Astana play their home games at Astana Arena and the capacity of the venue is 30 244.
The stadium was opened on 3 July, 2009 and the construction cost $185 million. Astana’s home kits are yellow with blue strips and they play their away games in navy-blue kits. The team recorded their biggest win on 19 June, 2011 when they outclassed Kairat 6-1 in the Kazakhstan Premier League.
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