Our prediction for this Europa League match:
A place in the Europa League last 16 will be at stake when Midtjylland and Sporting CP face each other at MCH Arena on Thursday evening. The Danes did well to hold Sporting to a draw in Lisbon, but they Lions are still seen as favourites to win this double-header. The good news for the hosts is that defender Erik Sviatchenko is back from suspension.
The Primeira Liga outfit, on the other hand, avoided defeat in the first leg thanks to Sebastian Coates’ late goal. Sporting, though, are more of a team than Midtjylland, and seeing that the Danes have yet to return to action in the national championship, away win should be considered. Midfielder Daniel Braganca remains in the recovery room, while both Essugo and Morita are major doubts, speaking of the away team. Paulinho is widely expected to lead the line for the visiting side.
Highlighted Player (Sebastian Coates):
Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, on October 7, 1990, Sebastian Coates is a 196-cm-tall defender who plays for Sporting CP in Primeira Liga. Coates is the product of the hometown club Nacional, and it has to be noted that he scored eight goals in 60 appearances for the capital club in the national championship.
After ending his spell with English club Sunderland, the Uruguay international moved to Portugal, signing a loan deal with Sporting CP in January 2016. He signed a permanent contract with the Lions in February 2017.
Speaking of his international career, Sebastian Coastes made his full Uruguay debut against Chile at the 2011 Copa America. La Celeste won the trophy, with the team beating Paraguay 3-0 in the final of the competition at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires. Coates wears the number 4 shirt at Sporting CP, and his preferred foot is right.
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.