Having come through a qualifier with Dutch side Vitesse, Southampton are now on the cusp of reaching the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Standing in their way is Midtjylland, who harboured hopes of playing in the Champions League when the season got underway.

Southampton

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After impressing in the Premier League last season and then swaggering their way through a number of pre-season friendlies, there was plenty of optimism among everyone connected with Southampton ahead of the start of the campaign.

Ronald Koeman's men beat the likes of Groningen and Feyenoord over the summer and then made light work of Vitesse in third qualifying round to secure their spot in the playoffs.

Since then, though, it has been rather disappointing. A 2-2 draw away at Newcastle United was followed up by a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Everton, which has left the Saints without a win from their opening two Premier League games.

Speaking to the club's official website, striker Shane Long urged his teammates to bounce back ahead of this clash against the Danes: "It's hard to look at the positives straight after when you lose 3-0 at home. But, we go back and try to improve during the week. We know we're better than that and hopefully we have more to offer.

"It's just back to the drawing board and try to learn from it and plan because we've got four games in two weeks coming up so we have the chance to make some difference."

As far as Southampton's European home record is concerned, it is relatively positive. Of the 13 contests, seven have ended in victories, with five draws and just the one defeat.

Recent form: DLWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWDL

Midtjylland

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Formed in 1999, last season was the first time that Midtjylland were crowned champions of Denmark.

Of course, that success saw The Wolves enter the Champions League at the second qualifying round stage, where they overcame Lincoln Red Imps 3-0 on aggregate.

However, just when supporters may have started to dream of trips to the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, they came up against Cypriot side APOEL in the next round. Despite pushing their opponents hard, Midtjylland were eliminated on the away goals rule after drawing 2-2 over the two games.

Consequently, Jess Thorup's charges have found themselves in the Europa League qualifiers, where they have been handed one of the toughest draws possible.

"Out of the possible opponents, Dortmund and Southampton were the worst when you look at the chances to go further. It turned out to be Southampton, so in that way, the chances of getting through the needle's eye - as we dream of - are hard," the head coach conceded shortly after the draw was made.

At least their form in the Danish Superliga is positive, with four wins and a draw from their opening five games having put them top of the table.

On the flip side, Midtjylland's recent results in the Europa League have been less pleasing. They last qualified for the group stages in 2007 and since then have fallen in the qualifying rounds three times.

Recent form: DLLWLL
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWWD

Team News

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Jordy Clasie was signed by Koeman to replace Manchester United-bound Morgan Schneiderlin in the heart of the Southampton midfield, but once again the Dutchman will be sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Steven Davis has profited from Clasie's absence of late, but for this encounter James Ward-Prowse could be included.

Goalkeeper Fraser Forster is still absent, while centre-back Florin Gardos will also play no part because of a knee injury.

As for the visitors, striker Morten Rasmussen started his side's last league game against Copenhagen on the bench, but he has been tipped to earn himself a recall at the St Mary's Stadium.

Southampton possible starting lineup:
Stekelenburg; Cedric, Yoshida, Fonte, Martina; Ward-Prowse, Wanyama, Tadic, Mane; Long, Pelle

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

Head To Head

These two sides have never faced each other, although Midtjylland have taken on English opposition once before.

Back in 2008 they came up against Manchester City in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.

The tie ended 1-1 on aggregate - with both teams winning the away legs 1-0. It went to a penalty shootout, during which City goalkeeper Joe Hart made two saves to secure a 4-2 victory for his side.

We say: Southampton 2-0 Midtjylland

The Saints may have struggled in the Premier League so far this season, but having worked so hard last term and this summer to qualify for the Europa League, they will not want to throw it away now. They have the better players and assuming they produce a decent performance, it should be a routine win.

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