Preview: FC Midtjylland vs Odense - prediction, team news, lineups

Last season's Danish Superliga runners-up FC Midtjylland will kick off their 2025-26 campaign on Sunday, when promoted Odense pay a visit to MCH Arena.

After narrowly missing out on the title in May, Midtjylland intend to finish first this time around; OB are simply seeking top-flight survival.

Match preview

Despite a dramatic victory on the final matchday, Midtjylland could not quite catch Copenhagen in their fascinating battle for Superliga glory in 2024-25, ultimately coming up one point short of their counterparts from the capital.

FCM certainly pushed hard for top spot, winning four of their last five games and scoring 14 goals, with a top-of-the-table draw against Copenhagen being the sole exception.

Meanwhile, in last season's Europa League, the Wolves advanced though to the knockout-round playoffs, where they were soundly beaten by Real Sociedad over two legs.

Head coach Thomas Thomasberg will aim to build on both campaigns in the coming months, starting with their first Superliga fixture this weekend, then a Europa League qualifier against Scottish side Hibernian.

In preparation, Midtjylland have played a series of pre-season friendlies - against Silkeborg, Dynamo Kiev and Slovan Bratislava - yielding three wins with an aggregate score of 9-2. 

Though Sunday's hosts dominate the overall head-to-head, the last six league meetings between Midtjylland and Odense in Herning have actually brought three wins apiece.

On this occasion, OB are clear outsiders, as the newly promoted club visit opponents who are again expected to challenge for the title.

Three-time national champions - and five-time cup winners - Odense suffered relegation from the Superliga in 2023-24, but they then fulfilled expectations and won the second division last term. 

De Stribede are now back at Denmark's elite level with a new coach at the helm, after Soren Krogh was ruthlessly fired and replaced by Alexander Zorniger. OB's German boss - who counts Stuttgart and Greuther Furth among his former clubs - will now aim to steer them clear of a relegation fight.

Having warmed up with just two wins from five friendlies, it remains to be seen whether his high-risk tactics will pay off, but some shrewd signings could well make their mark.

FC Midtjylland pre-season friendlies form: W W W

Odense pre-season friendlies form: L L W D W 

Team News

Over the summer break, Midtjylland have seen Jan Kuchta and Joel Andersson depart, while Friday Etim, Alexander Mani Gudjonsson, Lucky Clement and Emmanuel Alase all arrived.

South Korean striker Cho Gue-Sung is still recovering from a long-term knee injury that ruined his 2024-25 campaign, so Etim, Franculino and Adam Buksa are favourites to start up front for Thomas Thomasberg's side.

Meanwhile, OB may have lost last season's top scorer Luca Kjerrumgaard to Watford via Udinese, but they have managed to recruit two potentially important players from Copenhagen: after nine years away, midfield maestro Rasmus Falk has returned home, while Theo Sander should start in goal.

Elsewhere, ex-Bayern Munich man Jann-Fiete Arp will hope to get his career back on track under compatriot Alexander Zorniger, who could hand the former wonderkid an advanced role.

FC Midtjylland possible starting lineup: Lossl; Mbabu, Lee, Bech Sorensen, Bak Jensen; Silva, Bravo, Sorensen; Franculino, Buksa, Gogorza

Odense possible starting lineup: Sander; Burgy, Gomez, Askou; Owusu, Ejdum, Falk, Sorensen; Arp; Ganaus, Grot

We say: FC Midtjylland 2-1 Odense

Midtjylland may be among the title favourites - and they have found the net freely during pre-season - but having one eye on a vital European qualifier could see them settle for a slim win.

As Odense have added eye-catching buys to a promotion-winning squad, they could cause a few upsets this term - but not quite on the opening matchday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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