Key Highlights
- Celtic face a tough challenge against Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League.
- Aberdeen will also take on AEK Larnaca in another UEFA Europa League match.
- Martin O’Neill emphasizes Celtic’s need to pick up points in European competition.
- Midtjylland leads the group after three wins, while Aberdeen faces a difficult opponent.
Match Preview: Celtic vs. Midtjylland
Celtic will face Danish side Midtjylland in their UEFA Europa League fixture on Thursday, 6 November at MCH Arena in Herning. The Scottish champions are looking to improve their position in the competition after a poor start.
Midtjylland’s Performance and Recent Results
The Danish club has been impressive so far this season, leading the Europa League group with three wins from three matches. Manager Mike Tullberg has made significant changes to his team, with former Rangers right-back Kevin Mbabu and midfielder Pedro Bravo among those who have replaced injured players.
Celtic’s Recent Form
Celtic are currently in 21st place in the group after one win, a draw, and a defeat. The Scottish champions aim to turn their form around after a tough Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers on Sunday. Head coach Martin O’Neill sees this match as an opportunity for his side to gain more points.
Key Match Statistics
Celtic have won seven and lost five of 16 matches against Danish opposition, while Midtjylland has won two and lost two of their six games against Scottish opponents. The two sides met in Champions League qualifying in 2021, with Midtjylland winning the aggregate match 3-2 after a home victory.
Aberdeen vs. AEK Larnaca
Meanwhile, Aberdeen will face AEK Larnaca in another UEFA Europa League fixture. The Cypriot side has shown impressive results this season, with a recent shock win over Crystal Palace and a 4-0 victory against AZ Alkmaar.
Aberdeen’s Current Situation
Aberdeen are currently bottom of the Scottish Championship after their worst-ever loss in European competition. Manager Jimmy Thelin faces pressure to improve his team’s performance in this match. The Aberdeen boss has made one change to the side that beat Kilmarnock, with Adil Aouchiche replacing Graeme Shinnie.
Pre-Match Build-Up
Celtic and Aberdeen will be closely watched by their fans as they aim to get back on track in European competition. The match is set to provide a stern test for both teams, given the form of their opponents.
Martin O’Neill, Celtic’s head coach, expressed his excitement about the match: “If I was looking at the table, I would be looking to try to get 10 points on the board. Maybe that might be enough to get through.
We’ve only got two home games left, three away. It’s not going to be easy.” O’Neill added, “They will come over here to try to get a better position in the Europe League, but we are thinking about our team and not speaking so much about our opponent.”
The match is set to be broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland FM & Sounds, with live text updates available on the BBC Sport website and app. The build-up has already started, with both teams ready for a challenging encounter.
