Europa League Qualifying Preview: Midtjylland vs Besiktas

A standout tie in the second leg of the 2026-27 Europa League qualifying second round will kick off at 1:00 am Beijing time on July 31, with Danish side Midtjylland hosting Turkish giants Besiktas.

Midtjylland are one of the traditional strong teams in the Danish Superliga and finished as league runners-up last season. Their new domestic campaign has already begun, and they opened with a 3-2 away win, giving the squad a clear lift in confidence. However, they lost 1-0 to Besiktas in the first leg, with Etim sent off early, and no one up front was able to take charge of the attack, exposing a lack of cutting edge in difficult moments.

Their biggest source of belief is their formidable home advantage. MCH Arena has long been regarded as one of the toughest away grounds in Denmark, and the home crowd can create major pressure for visiting teams. Tactically, Midtjylland have little choice but to attack from the outset and push for victory. After failing to score against a 10-man Besiktas in the first leg, the Danes are expected to press high from the opening whistle against an away side weakened by absences. Still, committing numbers forward will also leave space behind, and Besiktas remain dangerous on the counter even with a depleted squad.

Besiktas finished fourth in the Turkish Super Lig last season, collecting 60 points from 17 wins, 9 draws and 8 defeats in 34 matches. The club has undergone major changes this season, with new head coach Italiano taking charge and immediately leading the team to a 1-0 win over Midtjylland in his debut. New signing goalkeeper Nubel also made an instant impact with a clean sheet, giving the defence a boost.

That said, Besiktas have clear concerns of their own. Several key players are unavailable. New winger Trossard, signed from Arsenal, is still on holiday and will not feature in this match. Defensive midfielder Ndidi is dealing with an ankle injury. Forward Milot Rashica has been out injured since late April and remains a doubt. Several bench players are also on the injury list. With important absences across all three lines, Besiktas face a serious test of their squad depth away in Denmark.

Overall, although Besiktas are missing a number of first-team players, they hold a one-goal advantage, have solid European experience, and gained momentum from the new coach's winning debut. Midtjylland have the edge of a feared home ground and a relatively more complete squad, but the first leg also highlighted concerns over their ability to break teams down. Over two legs, Besiktas appear to have the quality and experience to protect their lead and secure qualification away from home.

Prediction: Besiktas to avoid defeat away from home.

Match time: 2026-07-31 01:00