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

Following a closely-contested first-leg battle in Denmark last week, Hibernian welcome FC Midtjylland to Easter Road for the second leg of their second-round qualifier in the Europa League on Thursday night.

The winners of this tie on aggregate will face Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad FK in the next round, while the losers will drop into the Conference League and take on either Ukrainian side Oleksandriya or Partizan Belgrade of Serbia.

Match preview

Hibernian remain in contention to qualify for the League Phase (or group stage) of a European competition for the first time in their history after playing out a creditable 1-1 first-leg draw with Midtjylland in Herning last Thursday.

The Cabbage stunned the hosts with an early opener from debutant Jamie McGrath, but Midtjylland grew into the game following a shaky start and they restored parity 18 minutes from time courtesy of a superb free kick rifled into the top corner by Aral Simsir.

Hibs were "outstanding to a man" in the eyes of head coach David Gray, who is keen for his players to “take confidence” from the result after ‘matching a Champions League team from last season’ on Danish soil.

The Edinburgh-based outfit, who won only one of their five pre-season friendlies prior to the draw with Midtjylland, will fancy their chances of claiming a positive result in the reverse fixture at home, as they lost just three of their 19 Scottish Premiership matches at Easter Road (W10 D6) en route to finishing third in the table last season.

Hibs have only ever beaten Danish opposition once before in their history, though, and that was back in 1962 when they defeated Staevnet 7-2 on aggregate in the first round of the Fairs Cup.

Midtjylland, meanwhile, have also won just once against Scottish sides (D2 L2) and it was their most recent encounter against Celtic, winning 2-1 on home soil in the second leg of Champions League qualifying in 2021.

Last season’s Danish Superliga runners-up followed up their first-leg draw with Hibs last week by securing their first victory of the new top-flight season on Monday, seeing off Sonderjyske by a 6-2 scoreline in front of their own fans.

Victory was not quite plain sailing for Thomas Thomasberg's side, though, considering that they faced 20 shots from Sonderjyske, but their clinical touch in front of goal will have impressed the 50-year-old head coach ahead of Thursday’s second leg with Hibs.

Guinea-Bissau international Franculino Dju was a standout performer, as he inspired the Wolves to victory with a brilliant hat-trick, adding to the double that he netted on matchday one against Odense (2-2 draw). The 21-year-old has warned Hibs that he ‘wants to score more’ and is looking forward to the “exciting” contest in Edinburgh.

Hibernian Europa League form:

Hibernian form (all competitions):

FC Midtjylland Europa League form:

FC Midtjylland form (all competitions)

Team News

Hibernian are set to be without defender Lewis Miller (unspecified) and midfielder Joe Newell (groin) as they continue to recover from injury.

After scoring on his full debut last week, McGrath is expected to continue in an advanced role alongside Martin Boyle and behind central striker Kieron Bowie, while Jordan Obita and Chris Cadden could once again provide width as wing-backs.

Summer signing Josh Mulligan will hope to retain his place in centre-midfield, but fellow new recruit Thibault Klidje may be forced to begin as a substitute.

As for Midtjylland, they are expected to be without forward Cho Gue-Sung (knee) and centre-back Ousmane Diao (foot) due to injury.

Thomasberg made a total of five changes for their Superliga win over Sonderjyske and he will be tempted to revert to the same lineup that began last week’s first leg.

While Kevin Mbabu is likely to recalled at right-back at the expense of Adam Gabriel, Dario Osorio, Pedro Bravo and Mikel Gogorza could all return in midfield as Franculino battles with Edward Chilufya for a start up front alongside Adam Buksa.

Hibernian possible starting lineup:

Smith; Iredale, O'Hora, Bushiri, Iredale; C. Cadden, Mulligan, Levitt, Obita; McGrath, Boyle; Bowie

FC Midtjylland possible starting lineup:

Lossl; Mbabu, Lee, M. Sorensen, Jensen; Osorio, Bravo, O. Sorensen, Simsir; Buksa, Dju

We say: Hibernian 1-2 FC Midtjylland (Midtjylland to win 3-2 on aggregate after extra time)

Another tight affair could be in store between two teams who will back themselves to progress to the next round. Although Hibs have home advantage and have a strong record in front of their own fans, we feel that Midtjylland will find a way to squeeze through from a contest that could go beyond 90 minutes.

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