Midtjylland vs Sturm Graz Prediction: Sturm set to struggle on Danish trip

FC Midtjylland came through three rounds of Uefa Europa League qualifying and have been rewarded with a further eight games in the league phase, starting with their home fixture with Sturm Graz at MCH Arena on Wednesday (17:45 BST, TNT Sports 10).

Below are my Midtjylland vs Sturm Graz predictions, as well as the essential team news and match odds for the encounter in Herning, Denmark.

Team News

The hosts are without attackers Mikel Gogorza (hamstring) and Dario Osorio (muscle tear). Goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri (surgery) is a long-term absentee.

Football Odds

Sturm Graz right back Arjan Malic (knock) is a doubt, while winger Axel Kayombo (ankle) and goalkeeper Daniil Khudyakov (wrist) have not featured since the start of the season.

Today's Football Fixtures

Midtjylland vs Sturm Graz Odds

Midtjylland are 7/10 to pick up the win, while Sturm Graz can be backed at 7/2 to secure an away success. The draw is a 3/1 chance.

The markets anticipate a highly entertaining contest with under 2.5 goals priced up at 6/4 and overs on offer at 8/15.

Midtjylland to win @ 7/10

Midtjylland gained some excellent experience in the league phase of last season’s Europa League, taking 11 points from eight games, and they will be hoping to show improvement over the next four months, starting with the matchday one contest against Sturm Graz.

The Danes clearly enjoy playing at the MCH Arena and finished the 2024/25 domestic season with 14 home wins from 16 matches.

And the trend of strong home performance is continuing because Mike Tullberg’s side are eight games unbeaten at their Herning base since the start of the new campaign.

Sturm Graz know they will be in for a tough game, but can at least approach it with some confidence after Saturday’s 2-0 victory away to domestic rivals RB Salzburg.

The win over Salzburg took them to second in the Bundesliga standings, but they have lost two of their six league games and have generally struggled for consistency.

Jurgen Saumel’s side lost 6-2 on aggregate to Bodo/Glimt in Champions League qualifying, having been thrashed 5-0 in the first leg in northern Norway.

They face an equally tricky road trip against Midtjylland and might have to stomach another poor result.

Franculino Dju Anytime Goalscorer @ 11/10

Midtjylland have a reputation for smart recruitment, and they must be delighted by the progress of Guinea-Bissau attacker Franculino Dju, who they snapped up from Benfica’s academy in 2023.

Franculino Dju arrived at the club as a teenager but soon established himself as a key player and has gone on to score 30 goals in 63 league matches.

The 21-year-old has netted eight goals in eight league appearances this term, and he looks overpriced to find the net against Sturm.

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