Ajax face a dangerous Midtjylland side chasing its first Conference League win
Ajax return to Conference League action on Thursday with a trip to Denmark, where FC Midtjylland will be waiting at the MCH Arena. The Amsterdam club arrive encouraged by a 2-0 victory over Atalanta and a promising start to their domestic campaign. Their hosts, meanwhile, have yet to win in Europe this season—but their strong form in the Danish Superligaen makes them a far more challenging opponent than their continental results might suggest.
Midtjylland have collected just one point from their opening two Conference League fixtures. They drew 1-1 away to Albania’s Egnatia before losing 2-1 at home to Belgium’s Sint-Truiden. Yet in the league, Mike Tullberg’s team have been setting the pace: nine wins from 12 matches have given them 31 points and a five-point advantage over title favourites FC Copenhagen.
That contrast is central to the match prediction. Ajax will be expected to have more of the ball, but Midtjylland’s home form, physical approach and ability to break quickly could make this an uncomfortable test. The Danish side will also be eager to turn their domestic confidence into a first European victory.
Major summer departures, but Midtjylland remain competitive
Midtjylland’s league position is particularly impressive given the quality they lost during the summer transfer window. Striker Franculino and winger Aral Simsir moved to Trabzonspor in a deal worth a reported €35 million. Between them, they had contributed more than 30 goals, along with a significant number of assists. Centre-back Han-beom Lee joined Club Brugge for around €9 million, while productive midfielder Valdemar Byskov moved to AZ for approximately €6 million.
Winger Dario Osorio also left on loan for Crystal Palace. The Premier League club reportedly have the option to make his move permanent for €32 million next year. Losing players across the attack and midfield could have disrupted many teams, but Midtjylland have continued to produce results in the Superligaen.
The club responded by recruiting across the pitch. Former Ajax defender Rasmus Kristensen arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for around €6 million, bringing experience and leadership to the defence. Venezuela international David Martínez joined from Los Angeles FC in a deal costing more than €7 million, while midfielder Kjell Wätjen came from Borussia Dortmund. Dutch goalkeeper Nordin Bakker also signed after leaving sc Heerenveen.
Up front, Friday Etim strengthened the squad after an effective spell at Fredericia, and Mileta Rajović arrived on loan from Legia Warsaw. The new arrivals have had to adapt quickly, but Midtjylland’s strong domestic results suggest the recruitment has helped preserve the team’s competitive edge.
Tullberg’s high-energy football brings both threat and risk
Head coach Mike Tullberg has become a defining figure in Midtjylland’s recent rise. The 40-year-old, who grew up in Farum, had a modest playing career as a forward before moving into coaching. He joined Borussia Dortmund in 2019, working with the club’s second team and under-19s before briefly taking interim charge of the senior side in early 2025. Midtjylland appointed him after his time at Dortmund ended at the close of the 2024/25 season.
Tullberg’s teams are built around intensity. He urges his players to press aggressively, compete for second balls and attack with purpose from the opening whistle. Midtjylland are especially dangerous when they win possession and can launch a quick counter-attack. Ajax’s defenders will need to be alert to runs in behind, particularly if the Dutch side lose the ball while committing players forward.
There is a potential weakness, however. A high defensive line and an urgent press can leave space behind the back four when opponents play through the first wave of pressure. Ajax may look to exploit that area with quick combinations and well-timed runs. Tullberg’s touchline enthusiasm is also unmistakable: his animated style has earned him nine yellow cards for his behaviour during the 2025/26 season. He demands full commitment, and his players are likely to bring plenty of energy to Thursday’s contest.
Last season offered evidence of the coach’s impact. Midtjylland challenged for the Danish title before finishing behind champions Aarhus GF, but they lifted the national cup by beating favourites FC Copenhagen 1-0. They also placed third in the Europa League league phase, before Nottingham Forest eliminated them over two legs in the round of 16.
Ajax connections add a personal edge
There are several links between the clubs, most notably Kristensen, now captain of Midtjylland. He left the Danish club for Ajax but did not establish himself as a regular before moving to Red Bull Salzburg in 2019. Despite that, he has spoken warmly about his time in Amsterdam, saying that joining Ajax was the best decision of his life. His familiarity with the club may prove useful as he helps organise Midtjylland’s defence.
Viktor Fischer also spent time in Midtjylland’s youth academy before joining Ajax in 2011. Another Dutch connection is goalkeeper Bakker, who has stepped into the starting role while first-choice keeper Elías Ólafsson recovers from injury. The former Almere City and sc Heerenveen player has made eight appearances, including Midtjylland’s 2-1 win over Copenhagen, and is expected to face his former countrymen.
Midtjylland have a more unusual Ajax connection in Rafael van der Vaart. The former Netherlands international joined the Danish club in 2016, late in his career. His playing time was limited, and he made only two substitute appearances for a total of six minutes during the season in which Midtjylland won the league. Still, sporting director Claus Steinlein later said Van der Vaart brought commercial attention and acted as a mentor to younger players.
A young club with growing European ambitions
Founded in 1999 through the merger of Ikast FS and Herning Fremad, Midtjylland are young by European football standards. The club initially played in Ikast before moving to Herning in 2004, and claimed its first Danish championship in 2015. Since then, it has become a regular presence in European competition and a destination for talent from across the world. The current squad reflects that international outlook, with players from countries including Nigeria, Colombia, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and England.
Previous meetings and match prediction
Ajax and Midtjylland have met twice before, both times in the 2020/21 Champions League group stage. Ajax won 2-1 in Denmark after goals from Antony and Dusan Tadić. In the return match, Ryan Gravenberch, Noussair Mazraoui and David Neres scored in a 3-1 victory. Awer Mabil pulled one back for the visitors, while Erik Sviatchenko was sent off late in the game.
Those results give Ajax a perfect record against the Danish side, but they offer limited guidance for a meeting between two substantially changed squads. Midtjylland will be motivated to claim their first win over the Amsterdam club, while Ajax need to maintain the momentum generated by their victory over Atalanta.
Match prediction: Ajax may have the technical quality to control long spells, but Midtjylland’s pressing and counter-attacking threat should make the contest close. If the visitors handle the home side’s early intensity and exploit space behind the defence, they can take a result. A draw looks plausible, with Ajax’s experience giving them a narrow edge.
Predicted FC Midtjylland line-up: Bakker; Maxsø, Diao, Bech; Kristensen, Bravo, Hyun-seok, Wätjen, Bak; Emefile, Rajović.
