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

Fredrikstad's quest to qualify for the Europa League continues when they welcome FC Midtjylland to Nye Fredrikstad Stadion on Thursday in the first leg of the third round of qualifying.

The hosts were automatically entered into this stage of the competition after winning the 2024 Norwegian Football Cup, whereas Midtjylland had to navigate a second-round tie against Hibernian, winning 3-2 on aggregate after extra time in late August.

Match preview

Fredrikstad come into Thursday's clash having drawn 0-0 in the Eliteserien with fourth-placed Tromso on August 2, their first clean sheet in 12 games.

Andreas Hagen's side are currently seventh with 26 points in their domestic league, and they are six points from the division's fourth-placed Conference League qualification spot.

The Red Shorts have not qualified for any major European competition in their history, with their last continental qualification campaign coming in 2009-10, when they were knocked out of the Europa League qualifiers at the third stage by Lech Poznan.

Hagen's team have found consistency difficult to come by in recent weeks given they have drawn four and lost six of their past 12 matches in all competitions, though they are at least unbeaten in three games, winning once in that time.

Fredrikstad have triumphed in two and lost one of their three most recent home outings - scoring seven and conceding five - but they suffered losses in two and were held to a stalemate in one of their prior three games at Nye Fredrikstad Stadion.

Opponents Midtjylland were the dominant team against Hibernian in the second leg, but despite preventing them from creating a single big chance until extra time, they only advanced due to Junior Brumado's goal in the 119th minute.

The Wolves have only played three games in the Danish top flight in 2025-26 and are fourth with five points, and are also unbeaten in their five matches this term, winning twice in that period.

Thomas Thomasberg's side have faced Fredrikstad once in their history, though the meeting ended in defeat for his team in February 2024, when they lost 1-0 in the Atlantic Cup.

Since 2020-21, the visitors have managed to navigate their way to the group or league phase of a major European tournament four times from five attempts, with the club exiting last season's Europa League campaign after being beaten 7-3 over two legs by Real Sociedad in their round of 16 playoff.

Midtjylland have netted 12 goals and conceded on seven occasions this season, though they have only conceded once in their two away fixtures of 2025-26, emerging as victors once and drawing once.

Fredrikstad form (all competitions):

FC Midtjylland Europa League form:

FC Midtjylland form (all competitions):

Team News

Fredrikstad will hope for a second consecutive clean sheet, and they will have to rely on centre-backs Simen Rafn, Ulrik Fredriksen and Maxwell Woledzi to marshal their back three.

Leonard Owusu can be expected to lead a midfield also featuring Rocco Robert Shein and Sondre Sorlokk.

Hagen could select a front two on Thursday consisting of Oskar Ohlenschlaeger and Henrik Langaas Skogvold.

As for Midtjylland, goalkeeper Jonas Lossl may be positioned behind central defenders Lee Han-Beom and Mads Bech Sorensen.

Dario Osorio netted against Hibernian in the second leg, and he is likely to play wide on the right of attack, while Aral Simsir could play on the left.

Pedro Bravo and Oliver Sorensen played in a double pivot last time out in Europe, and could start behind forwards Franculino Dju and Valdemar Byskov.

Fredrikstad possible starting lineup:

Birkso; Rafn, Fredriksen, Woledzi; Eid, Shein, Owusu, Sorlokk, Molde; Ohlenschlaeger, Skogvold

FC Midtjylland possible starting lineup:

Lossl; Mbabu, Lee, M Sorensen, Paulinho; Osorio, Bravo, O Sorensen, Simsir; Dju, Byskov

We say: Fredrikstad 1-2 FC Midtjylland

It is difficult to overlook the fact that Midtjylland have significantly more experience on the European stage, and they could use their nous to help earn a positive result on Thursday.

Fredrikstad's home record has improved of late, but they are likely to encounter difficulties against the visitors, who are in strong goalscoring form this season.

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