The Matchday 1 clash of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Copenhagen (Denmark) and Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) will take place on September 18 at the Parken Stadium. Copenhagen vs. Bayer Leverkusen: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Copenhagen
The club emerged as the winner of the last Danish championship and started their Champions League journey from the second qualifying round. Copenhagen successively defeated Drita (2-0, 1-0), Malmö (0-0, 5-0), and Basel (1-1, 2-0) to earn a spot in the group stage. As a result, the team will play in the main draw of this European competition for the third time in the last four seasons. Notably, during their participation in the Champions League, the Danes have only reached the playoffs twice but never progressed beyond the Round of 16. It's also worth mentioning that Copenhagen has not won any of their last 15 encounters with German clubs in European competitions (5 draws, 10 losses).
- The club has won in regular time in 5 of their last 6 home matches in the Champions League.
- The team scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 90 minutes in 6 of their last 8 home matches in this competition.
- Copenhagen has kept a clean sheet in regular time in 4 of their last 5 home games in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Copenhagen (4-4-2)
Dominik Kotarski – Rodrigo Ueska, Gabriel Pereira, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Marcos Lopez – Jordan Larsson, William Clem, Lukas Lerager, Elias Achouri – Mohamed Elyounoussi, Andreas Cornelius.
Midfielder Magnus Mattsson will miss the match due to injury.
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen finished second in the previous Bundesliga season and secured a spot in the Champions League group stage. Consequently, Bayer will play in the main draw of this European competition for the third time in the last four seasons. In the last Champions League, the team reached the Round of 16, where they were defeated by Bayern Munich (0-3, 0-2) over two legs. Throughout their participation in this tournament, the club's best achievement was reaching the final in the 2001/02 season, where they lost to Real Madrid (1-2). Notably, the team has suffered three defeats in their last four Champions League matches. Additionally, Bayer has won only two of their last eight opening matches in the Champions League (1 draw, 5 losses).
- At least three goals have been scored in regular time in 5 of Bayer's last 6 away matches in the Champions League.
- The team has not scored more than once in 90 minutes in 6 of their last 8 away matches in this competition.
- Leverkusen has conceded in regular time in 7 of their last 8 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-3)
Mark Flekken – Axel Tapsoba, Jarell Quansah, Edmond Tapsoba – Alex Grimaldo, Robert Andrich, Aleix Garcia, Nathan Tella – Malik Tillman, Patrik Schick, Christian Koffi.
Midfielder Exequiel Palacios will not play due to injury.
Referee
Aliyar Aghayev (Azerbaijan)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 36;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 40%.
Copenhagen vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Match Prediction
The Danes are confident at home and often achieve their goals, even against top European clubs, by playing actively in attack. In their last eight home matches in the Champions League, Copenhagen has always found the net, scoring at least twice in half of those games. Notably, they managed to score against Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Manchester City.
Bayer Leverkusen cannot boast a reliable defense and regularly allows their opponents to score, especially in away matches. In their last eight away games in the Champions League, Leverkusen has kept a clean sheet only once, conceding at least two goals in five of those matches. I expect an effective attacking display from the hosts in this match, so my prediction: Copenhagen individual total over 1
