Nottingham Forest return to European action on Thursday evening when Midtjylland arrive at the City Ground. The locals have an excellent record on the continent and drew 2-2 with Real Betis in their last match. Flashscore's Frank Monkhouse expects Forest to go one better.
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The action comes thick and fast from across Europe this midweek as round two of the Europa League follows another exciting episode from the Champions League. Many of the UK's best-supported teams are in action, including Rangers, Celtic, and Aston Villa. Flying the flag for West Bridgford is Nottingham Forest, who host Denmark's FC Midtjylland from 20:00 BST.
New Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou led previous club Tottenham Hotspur to Europa League glory last season. The popular Australian hopes to land back-to-back European trophies, and Forest builds off solid foundations. They drew their opening Europa League match in Spain, and are now ready to make it four points from a possible six.
Will the English Premier League side secure a morale-boosting win to ensure Postecoglou gets the fans onside as quickly as possible? Perhaps you prefer the chances of an FC Midtjylland side that beat Sturm Graz 2-0 in the opening round. Keep reading as Flashscore's football betting writer Frank Monkhouse picks apart the stats, highlights the best odds, and offers his picks.
Nottingham Forest vs FC Midtjylland tips
Both teams to score @ 7/10 (bet365)
Nottingham Forest win @ 4/9 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
We'll get goals at the City Ground
Our first pick in Nottingham Forest vs FC Midtjylland is for both teams to score. Visit your preferred betting app, click on football, the Europa League, and then Nottingham Forest vs FC Midtjylland. Find the both teams to score market and click on the odds attached to yes to add to your bet slip. You can then input your desired stake and wager as a single or add other games to create a BTTS accumulator. It's a fun way to bet on a stacked card, which means you can cheer every goal scored.
The final score and the match-winner aren't important here. As long as both Forst and FC Midtjylland get at least one goal each, you'll be counting the profits. Looking at the home team's stats, Forest scored two goals away to Swansea in the League Cup, one at Burnley in the Premier League, and another two against Real Betis on matchday one of this tournament. Both teams scored in three of Forest's previous four starts.
Switching our focus to the visitors, it's worth knowing that FC Midtjylland scored two goals without reply in their opening Europa League match. They got off to a flyer and arrive in England eager to make it two wins from two and six points from a possible six. In the Danish Superliga, FC Midtjylland beat Randers 2-1 on Monday evening, adding confidence to our pick.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 7/10 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need both Forest and FC Midtjylland to score at least one goal each.
Take overs in the total goals
The second bet worth consideration on Thursday is over 2.5 goals. Similar to above, we're relying on Nottingham Forest and FC Midtjylland serving up a classic. With the BTTS bet, you need the English and Danes to find the net at least once each, but that's not the case here. In the total goals market, you need three or more goals from both teams combined. A 3-0 home win pays the same as a 2-1 away win. The number scored is more important than who scores.
Sticking with the stats, over 2.5 goals was a winning approach when FC Midtjylland beat Randers just three days ago. That match was goalless at the interval, before Randers took the lead early in the second half. FC Midtjylland fought back to equalise on 52 minutes and get a winner on 63 minutes through an own-goal following heavy pressure.
Nottingham Forest's most recent match produced just one goal, but we take heart from their overall performances and results during September. The Tricky Trees played their part in a four-goal thriller in their Europa League bow, lost by the odd goal in five in Wales, and conceded three goals at the Emirates Stadium. Back over 2.5 in the total goals market.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/7 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Forest vs FC Midtjylland produces three or more goals, your bet pays.
Forest to win at home
Our third and last bet at the City Ground in Nottinghamshire on Thursday evening is for Nottingham Forest to beat FC Midtjylland and secure all three points, taking their tally to four from a possible six. We'll need a share of good fortune here and for Forest to take their chances, but home advantage should make all the difference.
Postecoglou is an experienced manager who won this trophy just a few months ago. He knows what it takes to get results in Europe and understands the importance of making home advantage count. The Australian, formerly in charge of Tottenham and Celtic, will ensure his team finds a way to win.
Ange's teams are famous for playing an attractive and exciting brand of football. They aim to dominate the football, get forward as often as possible, and score plenty of goals. We'll see a special atmosphere inside the City Ground, and the home players will feed off that energy.
Tip: Forest to win @ 4/9 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Nottingham Forest must win this match to secure you a profit.
Nottingham Forest vs FC Midtjylland odds
Nottingham Forest @ 4/9 (bet365)
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.