Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv will be hoping to bounce back from their defeat in their first Europa League fixture of 2024-25 when they play Danish champions FC Midtjylland on Thursday at Stadion Partizana.
The hosts lost 2-1 against Sporting Braga on September 26 and are currently 26th in the Europa League table with no points, while their opponents Midtjylland drew 1-1 with Hoffenheim on September 25 and are 19th with one point after one matchweek.
Match preview
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The home side will be bitterly disappointed that they were unable to claim all three points last time out in Europe considering they had been leading since the 30th minute before conceding an 88th-minute equaliser and a 95th-minute winner.
Their defeat was made calamitous when both Gabi Kanichowsky and Tyrese Asante were sent off deep into second-half stoppage time.
In truth, Maccabi Tel Aviv can have few complaints with their defeat given they conceded 31 shots, 25 of which were from inside the penalty area.
To manager Zarko Lazetic's credit, his team have won nine of their last 11 games in all competitions and are first in the Israeli top flight with 13 points from five matches.
Lazetic's side have won 11 of their 14 most recent home fixtures and have won four, drawn one and lost two of the last seven Europa League games at home.
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The visitors come into the clash having drawn 1-1 against Hoffenheim, a match in which the Wolves scored in the 42nd minute thanks to Dario Osorio, though opposition player Max Moerstedt scored an equaliser in the 90th minute.
While Midtjylland were far from perfect defensively, they still managed to create three big chances and limit Hoffenheim to just one.
The away team's draw means that they have won just once in their last four Europa League games, and have only won twice in their 10 most recent matches in the competition, drawing five and losing three.
Thomas Thomasberg's side are first in the Danish top flight with 24 points from their 10 league games, four points clear of second-placed Copenhagen, and they look like strong contenders to win the title for a second consecutive season.
The Wolves won 3-1 last time out against Viborg on September 29 and have won 11, drawn six and lost just one of their 18 competitive matches this season.
Midtjylland are unbeaten in their last three away games and have only lost one of their last 11 fixtures on the road.
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Team News
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Maccabi Tel Aviv will be without midfielder Gabi Kanichowsky and defender Tyrese Asante due to suspension, and the pair could be replaced by Joris van Overeem and Idan Nachmias respectively.
The hosts will also be without right-back Ido Shahar as a result of a knee injury, while winger Sagiv Yehezkel is likely to be out until November due to a broken jaw.
Centre-backs Raz Shlomo and Nemanja Stojic may retain their place in defence, and Osher Davida, Dor Peretz and Elad Madmon could start in attack behind striker Dor Turgeman.
Meanwhile, Midtjylland will be unable to select attacker Dario Osorio, who has accumulated too many yellow cards in European competitions after he was booked against Hoffenheim.
As for confirmed injury absentees, the visitors will be without Mikel Gogorza and Oliver Sorensen until the middle of October, but they also have several doubts.
Defenders Paulinho and Juninho, as well as forwards Marrony, Gue-Sung Cho and Adam Buksa, could all miss out on Thursday.
Valdemar Byskov could replace Osorio on the right of a midfield four, with Emiliano Martinez and Denil Castillo starting in a double pivot.
Maccabi Tel Aviv possible starting lineup:
Mashpati; Nachmias, Stojic, Shlomo, Davidzada; Sissokho, Van Overeem; Davida, Peretz, Madmon; Turgeman
FC Midtjylland possible starting lineup:
Olafsson; Mbabu, Diao, Bech Sorensen, Andersson; Byskov, Martinez, Castillo, Simsir; Dju, Chilufya
We say: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-2 FC Midtjylland
Considering the sheer number of shots that Maccabi Tel Aviv faced against Sporting Braga, it would be surprising if they kept a clean sheet.
Additionally, the visitors are in strong form and have been difficult to beat away from home, and they should come into Thursday's clash as favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
