Southampton travel to Denmark on Thursday with their Europa League playoff against FC Midtjylland hanging in the balance.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at St Mary's Stadium last week, giving the Danes the upper hand going into the second leg.

Midtjylland

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Danish champions FC Midtjylland gave themselves an excellent chance of qualifying for the group stage of the Europa League last week by earning a 1-1 draw away to Southampton.

Despite being pegged back by the Saints on the night, Tim Sparv's away goal means that the Danes are in a strong position to progress.

Midtjylland dropped down to Europa League qualifying after losing on away goals to APOEL in their attempts to reach the Champions League group phase.

Jess Thorup's side are flying high in their domestic table, with 14 points from a possible 18 putting them at the top of the pile on goal difference.

However, they have stumbled in recent weeks in terms of their overall form, drawing their last three matches in all competitions.

When it comes to their record in Europe over the last few years, Midtjylland last made it into the Europa League group stage in 2007 and have been knocked out in qualifying three times since then.

Recent form: D
Recent form (all competitions): WWWDDD

Southampton

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Southampton's chances of reaching the Europa League group stage suffered a blow with their 1-1 draw on home turf last week.

The Saints have struggled for form during the early part of the season, winning just one of their five competitive matches so far.

Ronald Koeman's side are currently in 18th place in the Premier League table with just two points from their opening three games of the campaign.

Their last outing came on Sunday when they were held to a turgid goalless draw by Watford at Vicarage Road.

Koeman praised his team afterwards for their defensive performance against the Hornets, but the Dutchman will be worried by an attacking return of just one goal in their last three games.

While hosts Midtjylland look to have the initiative in the tie thanks to their away goal, Southampton know that a 1-0 victory would see them make it through to the group stage of the competition for the first time.

Recent form: WWD
Recent form (all competitions): DWDLDD

Team News

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Sadio Mane is expected to miss out for Southampton after picking up a hip injury against Watford.

Jordy Clasie and Ryan Bertrand both remain sidelined for the visitors with hamstring and knee problems respectively.

Meanwhile, the likes of Jay Rodriguez and Shane Long could start for the Saints after being among the substitutes at Vicarage Road.

Midtjylland possible starting lineup:
Dahlin; Romer, Hansen, Sviatchenko, Lauridsen; Sisto, Poulsen, Sparv, Royer; Andersson, Rasmussen

Southampton possible starting lineup:
Stekelenburg; Cedric, Yoshida, Caulker, Fonte, Targett; Wanyama, Romeu, Rodriguez; Long, Pelle

Head To Head

This will be just the second time that the sides have faced each other following last week's first-leg encounter at St Mary's Stadium.

We say: Midtjylland 0-1 Southampton

There is likely to be very little to separate these teams if last week is anything to go by. The first leg was a nip-and-tuck affair, and the return tie is expected to be no different. Southampton have struggled for form so far this season, but it would not be a surprise to see them kickstart their campaign with a dogged victory in Denmark.

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