FC Copenhagen vs Heidenheim prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-02-12 20:00.
[p]Copenhagen started and ended the UEFA Conference League league phase with defeats but an unbeaten middle stretch (W2, D2) helped book their place in the knockout round play-offs, where they’ll meet Heidenheim. The 15-time Danish champions haven’t played a competitive fixture since ending the league phase against Rapid Vienna (L 3-0), but have kept themselves match sharp with a series of friendlies (W3, L2).[/p]
[p]While losing the last two of those isn’t ideal, they’ll hope that the physical preparation was sufficient and at least they resume at home, where they’ve only lost one of their six Conference League fixtures this term (W4, D1 – including qualifiers). Now the Lions seek a first-ever home win in major European competition against a German side (D1, L5), although they did draw 1-1 here against Borussia Dortmund two seasons ago and only lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich last term.[/p]
[p]It’s hard to rank Heidenheim alongside those two as they’re in a Bundesliga relegation scrap having won just once since the winter break (D1, L4) and were winless across their final three Conference League league phase fixtures (D1, L2). They ended the league phase in the top 16 thanks largely to winning their first three but few teams remaining in Europe can be in as poor form as Frank Schmidt’s side.[/p]
[p]This is the club’s first European campaign, so to reach this stage is a creditable achievement and as they’ve already won three Conference League away games this term (L1 – including qualifiers) they may still threaten on the road. They’ve never faced a Danish club in Europe but did beat Häcken in neighbouring Sweden in August to launch their Conference League journey.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Brazilian forward Robert was the last player to score a competitive goal for Copenhagen and all three of his goals for the club since arriving in January came before the hour mark. Mathias Honsak has scored five goals for Heidenheim this term, four of them arriving after half-time, including both of his strikes in Europe.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Heidenheim conceded first in each of their last five competitive fixtures (D1, L4).[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]