FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-09-17 16:45.
[p]Reigning Danish champions Copenhagen return to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) after a one-season absence, and their reward is a matchday one clash against Bundesliga heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Copenhagen have made a solid start to the campaign, losing just two of their 14 matches across all competitions so far (W9, D3), though one of those defeats came against fierce rivals Brøndby at the weekend (2-1). The Lions have no time to dwell on such a painful defeat as they prepare for what will already be their seventh UCL game of the season, having come through three qualifying rounds in impressive fashion, notably beating Basel in the play-off. Jacob Neestrup’s men won all three of their UCL qualifiers on home soil by a combined 9-0 scoreline, so they appear primed to cause something of an upset here.[/p]
[p]Bayer Leverkusen enjoyed a much more productive weekend as they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 on Friday night despite being reduced to nine men, with a first Bundesliga win of the season the perfect way for new boss Kasper Hjulmand to start his reign. The Dane will now take charge of a UCL main draw game for the first time since 2012/13 when in charge of Nordsjælland still looking for his first win in the competition (D1, L5), but success on the European stage could be hard to find as Leverkusen have won just one of their last eight UCL away matches (D2, L5)![/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Copenhagen have lost both prior H2Hs against Leverkusen by a 7-2 aggregate scoreline in UCL qualifying in 2014/15. They’ve also won just one of their 14 major European matches against German sides (D5, L8).[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Copenhagen have failed to score inside 30 minutes of any of their UCL matches this season.[/p]
[p]Copenhagen have scored just 34 goals in their 40 UCL games.[/p]
[p]Only two of Leverkusen’s ten UCL matches last season saw both sides score.[/p]
[p]Five of the last seven UCL goals that Leverkusen conceded came between the 50th and 75th minute.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Copenhagen’s Mohamed Elyounoussi has recorded eight direct goal contributions across his last seven appearances (G3, A5) – each of his five career UCL strikes came in the first half. Patrik Schick has scored three goals in as many Bundesliga games this season for Leverkusen, with each of the last two coming from the penalty spot.[/p]
[p]Copenhagen will be without Magnus Mattsson, whilst Leverkusen are missing Exequiel Palacios and Jonas Hofmann.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre. [/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Having lost just one of their last ten home games across all competitions, Copenhagen will prove tough opponents for Leverkusen here so backing the draw against the odds could pay dividends. [/p]
[p][i]Author: Nathan Evans[/i][/p]