AEK Larnaca and FC Midtjylland braced for cagey UCL qualifying decider

AEK Larnaka vs FC Midtjylland - 26/07/2022

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AEK Larnaca and FC Midtjylland are locked at 1-1 as they prepare for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifier on Tuesday.

It’s fair to say that Midtjylland dominated the first leg. Not only did the Danes enjoy the lion’s share of possession, but they also racked up 30 shots.

However, Adam Gyursco gave Larnaca the lead on 81 minutes before Erik Sviatchenko equalised for Midtjylland three minutes later. Can the Cypriot side make amends on home soil?

AEK Larnaca booked their spot in Champions League qualifying after finishing second in the Cypriot First Division last season, ending up four points behind first-place Apollon.

Thanks to a handful of positive friendlies since then, Larnaca head into the second leg on a seven-game unbeaten streak across all competitions.

When you look at the bigger picture, Larnaca have lost just one of their previous nine outings – picking up three wins and five draws in the process.

Having held Midtjylland to a draw in Denmark, the Cypriot outfit will fancy their chances of advancing to the next qualification round in front of their own fans.

As for Midtjylland, they will be eager to seal the deal on Tuesday after dominating the first leg. In addition to recording 30 shots, the Danes faced a solitary attempt on their own goal.

That said, Midtjylland have not made a good start to the 2022-23 Danish Superliga campaign – registering one draw and one defeat so far.

After drawing with 1-1 Randers on the opening weekend of the season, Midtjylland were beating 3-1 by Silkeborg last time out.

Following a friendly defeat to Belgian side Gent at the beginning of the month, Midtjylland head into the second leg on a four-game winless run in all competitions.

Head-to-head: AEK Larnaca and FC Midtjylland met for the very first time in the first leg. Despite the Danes’ dominance, Larnaca avoided defeat.

Team news: Larnaca will be without injured goalkeeper Andreas Paraskevas on Tuesday as he continues to recover from a ruptured cruciate ligament.

On the flip side, Midtjylland will be without star Brazilian midfielder Evander for the second leg due to a muscle fiber tear.

With so much at stake, both sides are expected to approach the second leg with caution. For that reason, we are likely to another tense encounter.

Forebet predicts that Larnaka and Midtjylland will play out a goalless draw on Tuesday, meaning extra-time and/or penalties will be needed to determine the winner.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

UCL

AEK Larnaka FC Midtjylland 26/07/2022 17:30

233938

X

0 - 0

2.46

30°

3.30

4.20 3.30 1.83 no no no

Pen.

FT

3 - 4

1 - 1(1 - 1)

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