Midtjylland lost 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tie with Besiktas in Turkey, but the Danish side will probably feel that was a great result in the circumstances.
The Scandinavian side had a nightmare start in the first leg when their Nigerian striker Friday Etim was sent off after just 15 minutes, throwing their plans into disarray.
Orkun Kokcu put the home side ahead in the 26th minute and the Danes must have feared the worst, but they dug in to keep the score to 1-0 and will now feel they have a strong chance of fighting back at home and progressing in the Europa League.
Midtjylland v Besiktas Tips Summary
Best Bet - Midtjylland to win @ 9/10
Alternative Bet - Valdemar Andreasen to score at any time @ 10/3
Bet Builder - Vaclav Cerny 1+ shot on target, Francolino Dju 3+ shots & Over 11 corners @ 9/2
Midtjylland v Besiktas Prediction
Best Bet: Midtjylland to win @ 9/10
Midtjylland must have breathed a sigh of relief after returning from Turkey with just a one-goal deficit and they will be hopeful that their strong home form in European competition will enable them to overturn their disadvantage and advance.
The Danes survived an onslaught after going down to ten men after just a quarter of an hour, as Besiktas fired in 28 shots, although only seven of them were on target.
Needing just one goal at home to get back on level terms, they should have a spring in their step for Thursday's game and they gave themselves a confidence boost with a 3-2 away win at Sonderjyske in their first league game of the season on Sunday.
Besiktas don't start their domestic season until August 16th and Midtjylland's more advanced preparations should stand them in good stead.
The Danes had a 100 per cent home record in the league phase of this competition last season and can keep alive their hopes of getting to that point again.
Besiktas were solid on the road in their league games last year, losing only four of their 17 Super Lig away fixtures, but they did not fare so well in their European trips.
They drew with Lausanne in Switzerland in the Conference League qualifiers after going down 2-0 at Shakhtar Donetsk in this competition.
Alternative Bet: Valdemar Andreasen to score at any time @ 10/3
Midtjylland's offensive plans were scrapped early in the first leg when Etim was sent off for stamping.
Attacking midfielder Valdemar Andreasen was taken off just three minutes later as the focus switched to defence and forward Francolino Dju was also withdrawn at half-time.
Andreasen showed what he could have done in a more normal match when he scored his team's second goal in Sunday's 3-2 league success and with his side set to be on the front foot in the second leg he is worth backing at a decent price to strike again.
His goals last season included Midtjylland's third goal in a 3-2 win over Premier League Nottingham Forest in this competition, so the importance of this match should not faze the 21-year-old.
Midtjylland v Besiktas Bet Builder Tip
Vaclav Cerny 1+ shot on target
Francolino Dju 3+ shots
Over 11 corners
Pays 9/2
Start a three-leg bet builder on Thursday's European tie by taking Besiktas midfielder Vaclav Cerny to have a shot on target.
The Czech ace has been linked with a return to Rangers, where he previously spent a loan spell, but he was in the thick of the action in the first match, taking four shots with one of them on target as well as providing the assist for his side's goal.
Francolino Dju should join Andreasen in leading Midtjylland's comeback and he can be put in for three or more goal attempts.
The 33-year-old scored 22 goals last season including 10 in the space of eight games in October and November.
Complete the bet by taking there to be over 11 corners in a contest that could see the hosts throwing caution to the wind.
Six of Besiktas' last seven games last season reached a double-figure corner tally and defenders should be taking a no-nonsense approach in this key contest.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Midtjylland finished second in Denmark last season, nine points clear of third-placed Copenhagen
Midtjylland lost only two of their 16 home league matches last term
Besiktas finished fourth in the Turkish Super Lig last season
Midtjylland averaged more than two goals scored per game in the league last season
Midtjylland won all four of their Europa League home league phase matches last term
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
