Midtjylland need goals and plenty of them if they want to turn this tie around. Besiktas took a 1-0 win in the first leg back in July and that lead looks solid enough on paper.
The Danish side have shown they can score in bunches lately. Four wins in their last five before that loss to Besiktas included a 6-0 thrashing of Cardiff and a 4-2 result against Silkeborg. Yet the attack looks thinner now with Júnior Brumado still out until December with his knee and Ousmane Diao sidelined until October by a foot issue. Mikel Gogorza is also missing with a hip problem.
Besiktas sit fourth in the Turkish Super Lig with 60 points from 34 games. Their recent results are thinner on the ground but they did edge the first leg and only dropped a friendly 2-3 to Spartak Trnava in mid-July. Wilfred Ndidi remains absent with a ligament injury that keeps him out until the end of the month.
Midtjylland sit seventh in the Danish Superliga and they have to find a way past a compact Besiktas side that has already kept them out once. The possible lineups from earlier previews suggest both teams will lean on experienced midfielders like Billing and Kokcu to control the middle.
Expect Midtjylland to push forward early but they cannot afford another blank sheet. Besiktas should stay compact and look to hit on the break knowing one more goal probably kills the tie.
Recommended Bets
Over 2.5 goals @2.10 — Midtjylland average over three goals per game in their recent wins and need an open match to chase the aggregate.
Besiktas +0.25 Asian handicap @1.95 — They already lead on aggregate and have the defensive structure to avoid defeat even away from home.
Midtjylland to score first @2.40 — Home pressure and their strong recent scoring form make an early goal likely before Besiktas settle.
Odds tend to shorten closer to kickoff — lock in value now.
