Midtjylland vs Ajax – News and Probable Lineups

As the 2026-27 Conference League enters matchday three, two teams in great form, Midtjylland and Ajax, will be battling it out at the MCH Arena on Thursday.

The home side arrives on a three-match winning streak, while the away team aims for a fifth consecutive victory across all tournaments.

Match overview

Ajax kicked off their Conference League journey with a 2-1 loss against Hajduk Split on October 15, a result that contributed to a winless streak of three matches; however, they have since responded positively with four successive wins, including a 2-0 victory over Atalanta in their second European match.

Michel’s team has firmly placed itself in the Eredivisie title contention following a recent 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar, which brought them within a point of the top position and they now look to enhance their UECL standings in what is their first venture into Europe’s third-tier competition.

The Amsterdam giants last accomplished five consecutive wins back in December 2025, but given their solid track record against Midtjylland – they triumphed in both previous encounters during the 2020-21 Champions League group stage – they will feel confident about achieving that once again this Thursday.

Nevertheless, De Godenzonen have experienced some difficulties in Denmark overall, securing victories in only two out of five past outings (D2, L1) against Brondby, Copenhagen, and Midtjylland, netting seven goals and conceding six.

Ajax will face back-to-back away fixtures against Midtjylland and FC Twente ahead of the international break and they will approach these matches with confidence, having scored seven goals in their last two away games after their only defeat of the season to Hajduk.

Similarly to Ajax, Midtjylland is also making its Conference League debut this season and has struggled initially, failing to secure victory in either of their first two games – a 1-1 draw with Egnatia followed by a 1-0 loss to Sint-Truidense VV.

The defeat against Sint-Truidense was particularly hard on Mike Tullberg’s side, who generated more clear chances in that match but failed to take advantage, eventually conceding Frederic Soelle Soelle’s goal just before the interval.

Since then, three straight wins have lifted the spirits of Hedens Drenge, whose continental future is contingent on their upcoming match, as they currently sit just outside the playoff contention due to goal difference but could find themselves in the bottom three by the end of matchday three.

Although their recent form has improved, Midtjylland has faced difficulties defensively, unable to keep a clean sheet in their last nine matches across competitions, and enhanced organization in defence will be vital against a team of Ajax’s quality.

A sharper attacking approach would also benefit Midtjylland on Thursday, having missed the second-most significant chances in this season’s Conference League (six), only behind Twente who have seven.

Team News

Midtjylland players Martin Erlic and Magnus Jensen are still out dealing with foot injuries, while Mikel Gogorza is unavailable due to a hip problem.

Junior Brumado (knee) and Elias Olafsson (illness) are also unavailable for the hosts, who will be missing David Martinez for a third successive match.

Julian Brandt was substituted after just 38 minutes in Ajax’s latest game against AZ and remains a significant doubt for the clash on Thursday.

The German winger could be among four offensive players missing for the visitors, as Simon Adingra, Kasper Dolberg, and Oliver Edvardsen could also miss out.

Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma will be ineligible to play and will be sidelined alongside defenders Anton Gaaei and Caio Henrique.

FC Midtjylland probable starting XI:

Hills; Kristensen, Diao, Sorensen; Bravo, Jensen, Hyun-seok, Watjen, Johannesen; Emefile, Rajovic

Ajax probable starting XI:

Ter Stegen; Wijndal, Baas, Bouwman, Rosa; Amrabat, Mokyo; Ouzane, Gloukh, Klaassen; Arokodare

With both teams in a confident mood, Ajax and Midtjylland will aim to secure maximum points, setting up what should be an exciting contest.

Expect a gripping matchup, with the visitors likely managing to edge a five-goal thriller by the final whistle.