The first leg of the Champions League 2025/26 qualification playoff between Basel (Switzerland) and Copenhagen (Denmark) will take place on August 20 at St. Jakob-Park Stadium. 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 hasn't played in the Champions League since the 2019/20 season when they were eliminated in the third qualifying round by Austria's LASK (1-2, 1-3). However, during this time, the team has made a mark in another European competition, reaching the semi-finals of the 2022/23 Europa Conference League. Notably, Basel has lost 5 of their last 6 matches in the Champions League.
- 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 games in this European competition.
- At least three goals have been scored in regular time in 8 of Basel's last 9 home matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Basel (4-3-3)
Marvin Hitz – Kaigo Tsunemoto, Adrian Barisic, Jonas Adjetey, Dominic Schmid – Xherdan Shaqiri, Leo Leroy, Metinho – Anton Kade, Kevin Omoruyi, Philip Otele.
Copenhagen
In the previous qualifying round, the club outperformed Malmö (0-0, 5-0). Copenhagen has not lost in 15 of their last 19 matches in the Champions League (8 wins, 7 draws). Additionally, the team kept clean sheets in their last four games in this European competition. 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).
- The club's players have not scored more than one goal in 90 minutes in 7 of their last 8 away games in this European competition.
- A maximum of two goals have been 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 – Marcos Lopes, Gabriel Pereira, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Rodrigo Ueskas – Lukas Lerager, Magnus Mattsson, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Robert, Jordan Larsson – Andreas Cornelius.
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%.
Basel vs. Copenhagen: Match Prediction
The Swiss side has not played in the Champions League for a long time, and their recent matches in this European competition have been far from successful. Even at home, Basel has rarely delighted fans with impressive performances 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 period, the team has secured just three wins.
Copenhagen, on the other hand, prefers a cautious approach away from home, focusing on solid defensive play. This often yields 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 give opponents many chances in attack: during this same period, they have conceded more than one goal only twice, and in five matches, the Danes kept a clean sheet.
I expect a strong defensive performance from the visitors, which should lead to a positive result for the Danes. My prediction: Double chance X2 and Total under 3.5 goals
