Sporting Lisbon v FC Midtjylland Betting Tips [16 February 2023]

The floodlights will be shining on Stadio Jose Alvallade this Thursday when Sporting Lisbon host Midtjylland in the first round of the knockout stages in the Europa League. The hosts were unable to overcome the final obstacle in their Champions League campaign, losing to Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 6, which saw the German club progress to the next round at their expense. Their home form wasn’t good either, recording just one win in their three matches. They currently sit in fourth place in their domestic league, with 38 points in 20 matches, eight points behind Braga in third, and five clear on Vitoria in fourth. Over the last six games, Sporting has improved, winning four and losing two, scoring eleven goals and conceding six in that time. With Champions League qualification fading, Sporting will want to go as deep as possible in this competition in hope of automatic qualification for next season’s competition.

Midtjylland managed to qualify for the knockout stages in extraordinary fashion, in a group that ended with each of the four teams on the exact same number of points after six matches. Midtjylland put on an excellent display in their last group stage match, beating Sturm Graz 2-0 at home, which saw them through in second place behind Feyenoord, who topped the group by a one-goal difference. However, since then, Midtjylland has been fairly poor, winning just one of their last six matches, along with two draws and three losses. The visitors come into this match having not won any of their last four matches on the road, including two losses and two draws, and will likely find it difficult to break that run in this one.

Overall, Sporting Lisbon has been below their best this season, but their home record has been strong recently, which sees them come into this match as the overwhelming favourite to win this match. Midtjylland showed their resilience in the group stages, but meeting opponents with Champions League quality will be a difficult task for them to overcome. Therefore, our Sporting Lisbon v Midtjylland prediction is a win for the hosts.