The first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League qualification playoff between Basel (Switzerland) and Copenhagen (Denmark) will take place on August 20 at St. Jakob-Park. Basel vs. Copenhagen: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Basel
Last season, the club won the Swiss championship, earning the right to participate in Europe's most prestigious tournament. Basel last played in the Champions League in the 2019/20 season, exiting in the third qualifying round against Austria's LASK (1-2, 1-3). However, during this period, the team made a mark in another European competition, reaching the semi-finals of the 2022/23 Conference League. Notably, Basel has lost 5 of their last 6 Champions League matches.
- The club has not won in regular time in 8 of their last 11 home matches in the Champions League (2 draws, 6 losses).
- The team scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 90 minutes in 10 of their last 13 home fixtures in this European tournament.
- At least three goals were scored in regular time in 8 of Basel's last 9 home matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Basel (4-3-3)
Marwin Hitz – Kaigo Tsunemoto, Adrian Barisic, Jonas Ajeti, Dominik Schmid – Xherdan Shaqiri, Leo Leroy, Metinho – Anton Kade, Kevin Omoruyi, Philip Otele.
Copenhagen
In the previous qualification round, the club overcame Malmö (0-0, 5-0). Copenhagen has not lost in 15 of their last 19 Champions League matches (8 wins, 7 draws). Moreover, the team kept a clean sheet in their last four encounters in this European tournament. Notably, the Danes last participated in the Champions League in the 2023/24 season, reaching the round of 16.
- The team has not won in regular time in 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Champions League (3 draws, 2 losses).
- Club players have not scored more than once in 90 minutes in 7 of their last 8 away matches in this European tournament.
- A maximum of two goals were scored in regular time in 7 of the Danes' last 9 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Copenhagen (4-5-1)
Dominik Kotarski – Birger Meling, Gabriel Pereira, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Rodrigo Ueskas – Lukas Lerager, Magnus Mattsson, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Robert, Munashe Garananga – Youssoufa Moukoko.
Referee
Anthony Taylor (England)
Matches – 11 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 44;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 27%.
Match Prediction: Basel vs. Copenhagen
The Swiss side has not been in the Champions League for a while, and their recent performances in this European competition have been far from successful. Even at home, Basel has rarely pleased fans with exciting play and positive results. In their last ten home matches in the Champions League, the club's players have only twice managed to score more than one goal. Additionally, during this stretch, the team has secured just three victories.
Copenhagen, on the other hand, prefers a cautious approach away from home, focusing on solid defensive play. This often brings success: in their last nine away encounters in the Champions League, the club has lost only twice (3 wins, 4 draws). Typically, the team does not allow opponents many chances in attack: during this same period, only twice did more than one goal find its way into Copenhagen's net, and in five matches, the Danes kept a clean sheet.
I expect a solid defensive performance from the visitors, which should yield a positive result for the Danes. My prediction: X2 and Total under 3.5 goals
