AGF Aarhus vs Midtjylland Prediction and Betting Tips

As the Danish Superliga kicks off its 2024-2025 season, all eyes will be on the opening fixture between AGF Aarhus and defending champions Midtjylland. This match will occur on July 19, 2024, at Ceres Park & Arena, with a kickoff time of 17:00.

Both teams have had successful seasons, with Midtjylland claiming their fourth Superliga title last year and AGF Aarhus finishing fifth in the standings. However, as they face off again, there is no doubt that both teams will be looking for a solid start to the new campaign.

In this blog post, we will explore the recent head-to-head records, the players to watch, probable line-ups and any other relevant information that can help predict the outcome of this exciting match. We will also consider the bookies’ opinions and provide some betting tips for those who wish to wager on this game.

How the bookies view it: Midtjylland with the upper hand

According to bookmakers, Midtjylland is the clear favourite to win this fixture. They are currently priced at 23/20 by JILIVIP & 188jili or Wjpeso to claim the victory, with AGF Aarhus at 9/4 and a draw at 12/5. This shows that the bookies heavily favour Midtjylland to start their title security with a win.

Looking at the performances of both teams in the previous season, it’s easy to see why Midtjylland are viewed as the stronger side. They were head and shoulders above everyone else in the league, finishing with a comfortable 12-point lead over second-placed Copenhagen. Meanwhile, AGF Aarhus finished fifth, a considerable distance behind the top three teams.

Furthermore, Midtjylland has also had a successful preseason, with a 2-2 draw against Superliga side SonderjyskE being their only blemish so far. On the other hand, AGF Aarhus has been unbeaten in three matches, but their opponents were of a different calibre than Midtjylland.

Recent head-to-head: Fixture often favours Midtjylland

Regarding head-to-head records, it’s clear that this fixture has often favoured Midtjylland. In the last five meetings between the two teams, Midtjylland has won four times, with the remaining match ending in a draw.

Last season, Midtjylland did the double over AGF Aarhus, winning both fixtures by a margin of at least two goals. This shows that they can dominate their opponents and come out on top in crucial matches. Moreover, Midtjylland ended their previous season unbeaten in their final five matches, while AGF Aarhus lost their last two games.

However, despite these statistics favouring Midtjylland, it’s important to note that AGF Aarhus ended their season on a high note, beating powerhouses like Copenhagen and Brondby in their final two matches. This could be a sign that they can put up an intense fight against Midtjylland.

Players to watch: Franculino is on the hunt again

One player who will be on the radar for both teams is Midtjylland’s top scorer from last season, Vanderson Franculino. The Brazilian forward had an impressive debut season in the Danish Superliga, scoring 22 goals in 33 appearances. He was also named the league’s Player of the Year and Top Scorer, cementing his place as one of the best attackers in the league.

Franculino wants to continue his goal-scoring form and help his team defend their title. His pace, agility, and clinical finishing make him a threat to any defence, and it will be interesting to see how AGF Aarhus’s backline handles him.

Conversely, AGF Aarhus will look to their top scorer from last season, Christian Degn. The Danish midfielder scored 13 goals in 30 appearances and will be crucial in creating attacking opportunities for his team. He will also have a point to prove against Midtjylland, as he failed to score in both fixtures against them last season.

Probable line-ups

Based on previous matches and current form, here are the probable line-ups for both teams:

AGF Aarhus: Kamil Grabara, Daniel Thøgersen, Jannik Pohl, Nicolai Poulsen, Jesper Juelsgård, Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson, Mustapha Bundu, Patrick Olsen, Bror Blume, Alex Gersbach, Christian Degn

Midtjylland: Jesper Hansen, Erik Sviatchenko, Dion Cools, Nicolas Madsen, Paulinho, Mayron George, Frank Onyeka, Marc Dal Hende, Rubén Palacios, Vanderson Franculino, Bozhidar Kraev

Does any time else catch your eye?

While players like Franculino and Degn will be the ones to watch, other players could impact this fixture. For AGF Aarhus, keep an eye on striker Jannik Pohl, who scored twice in their preseason match against Luton Town. Another player to watch is midfielder Mustapha Bundu, who was also on the scoresheet in that match.

For Midtjylland, winger Mayron George has been in good form during the preseason and could cause problems for AGF Aarhus’ defence. Additionally, midfielder Frank Onyeka has also impressed with his performances, and his partnership with Franculino could prove crucial in this match.

Conclusion

After considering the opinions of the bookies, recent head-to-head records, key players, probable line-ups and other factors, it’s safe to say that Midtjylland has the upper hand in this fixture. As defending champions, they will be looking to start their title defence with a win and continue their dominance over AGF Aarhus.

However, as we all know, anything can happen on the football pitch. AGF Aarhus have shown that they are capable of causing upsets, and with home advantage and a solid finish to last season, they could surprise everyone with a victory.

Regardless of the product, one thing is for sure – this match promises to be an exciting and competitive start to the new Superliga season. So sit back, place your bets, and enjoy the game!