FC Midtjylland v Southampton preview: Saints face tough task to qualify

Southampton travel to FC Midtjylland on Thursday in the Europa League qualifying play-off round having drawn 1-1 in the first leg at St Mary's.

Jay Rodriguez's second-half penalty cancelled out former Saints man Tim Sparv's opener last week, and Ronald Koeman's side need to score at the home of the Danish champions to have a chance of progressing.

Southampton are looking to reach the first round of the Europa League for the first time since 2004, when they were knocked out by Steaua Bucharest 2-1 on aggregate.

They are yet to win in the Premier League this term, taking two points out of a possible nine, while FC Midtjylland sit top of the Danish league with 14 points from six games.

Team news

Koeman said on Wednesday he is hopeful that forward Saido Mane will be fit for the clash after suffering a hip injury on Sunday, but midfielder Victor Wanyama had been left at home because of a stomach infection.

Jordy Clasie (hamstring) and Ryan Bertrand (knee) both remain sidelined for the visitors, while Jay Rodriguez and Shane Long could start for the Saints after being among the substitutes at Vicarage Road.

Stats

FC Midtjylland won their first league title last season, after twice finishing as runners up in 2006 and 2007.

Jess Thorup's side have scored only eight goals in six league games this season, the fifth-least in the Danish league, but have only conceded two goals.

Saints boss Koeman has had two tastes of success on the continent as a player, winning the European Cup in 1988 with PSV and again in 1992 with Barcelona.

The Danish champions have played English opposition in the past though, losing on penalties to Manchester City in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup in 2008.

Matthew Benham is the majority shareholder of FC Midtjylland, and also owns Championship side Brentford.

Betting

Southampton are Sky Bet's 11/10 favourites topple FC Midtjylland (5/2) in their Europa League qualifier on Thursday. The sides drew 1-1 at St Mary's last week but are still deemed Sky Bet's 4/7 favourites to qualify for the group stage. Graziano Pelle is 9/2 favourite to net the first goal and 7/4 to net anytime.

Saints legend and Sky Bet tipster Matt Le Tissier is tipping Southampton to secure a 1-0 victory with James Ward-Prowse netting the only goal at odds of 45/1.