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 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. Consequently, the team will participate in the main draw of this European competition for the third time in the last four seasons. Notably, the Danes have only reached the playoffs twice in their Champions League history but have never advanced beyond the Round of 16. Additionally, the Danes have won only once in 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 has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 90 minutes in 6 of their last 8 home fixtures in this competition.
- Copenhagen has not conceded 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, earning a spot in the Champions League group stage. As a result, Bayer will participate 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 on aggregate (0-3, 0-2). Throughout their history 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 losses in their last four Champions League matches. Additionally, Bayer has only won 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 their 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 fixtures in this competition.
- Leverkusen has conceded in regular time in 7 of their last 8 away games in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-3)
Mark Flekken – Axel Tapsoba, Jarell Quansa, Edmond Tapsoba – Alex Grimaldo, Robert Andrich, Aleix Garcia, Nathan Tella – Malik Tillman, Patrik Schick, Christian Kouame.
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 perform confidently at home and often achieve their goals, as the team does not shy away from attacking even against top European clubs. In their last eight home matches in the Champions League, Copenhagen has never left the field without scoring and has found the net at least twice in half of these encounters. Notably, the team managed to score even against Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Manchester City.
Bayer Leverkusen cannot boast a reliable defense and often allows their opponents to score, especially in away matches. In their last eight away fixtures in the Champions League, Leverkusen has only kept a clean sheet once, and in five of these games, they have conceded at least two goals. I expect an effective attacking performance from the hosts in this match, so my prediction: Copenhagen Individual Total Over 1
