The Matchday 1 clash in the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Copenhagen (Denmark) and Bayer (Germany) will take place on September 18 at Parken Stadium. Copenhagen vs. Bayer: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Copenhagen
The club emerged as the winner of the last Danish championship and started the Champions League 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 compete in the main draw of this European tournament for the third time in the last four seasons. Notably, the Danes have only twice reached the playoffs in their Champions League history, but have never advanced beyond the Round of 16. It's also worth mentioning that Copenhagen has never won 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 games in this tournament.
- Copenhagen has kept a clean sheet in regular time in 4 of their last 5 home matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Copenhagen (4-4-2)
Dominik Kotarski – Rodrigo Uescas, Gabriel Pereira, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Marcos Lopez – Jordan Larsson, William Clem, Lukas Lerager, Elias Ashouri – Mohamed Elyounoussi, Youssoufa Moukoko.
Midfielder Magnus Mattsson and forward Andreas Cornelius will miss the match due to injuries.
Bayer
The Leverkusen side finished second in the previous Bundesliga season, earning a spot in the Champions League group stage. Consequently, Bayer will participate in the main draw of this European tournament for the third time in the last four seasons. In the last Champions League campaign, the team reached the Round of 16, where they lost to Bayern Munich on aggregate (0-3, 0-2). The club's best achievement in this tournament was reaching the final in the 2001/02 season, where they were defeated by Real Madrid (1-2). Notably, the team has suffered three losses in their last four Champions League matches. Bayer has also won just 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 games in this tournament.
- Leverkusen has conceded in regular time in 7 of their last 8 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Bayer (3-4-3)
Mark Flekken – Axel Tuanzebe, Jerell Quansah, Edmond Tapsoba – Alex Grimaldo, Robert Andrich, Aleix Garcia, Lucas Vazquez – Malik Tillman, Patrik Schick, Christian Kofane.
Midfielders Nathan Tella and Exequiel Palacios will not play due to injuries.
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: Match Prediction
The Danes perform confidently at home and often achieve their goals, playing actively even against top European clubs. In their last eight home matches in the Champions League, Copenhagen has never left the field without scoring, and in half of those games, they have scored at least twice. The team has managed to score even against Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Manchester City.
Bayer cannot boast a reliable defense and regularly allows opponents to score, especially in away matches. In their last eight away games in the Champions League, Leverkusen has only kept a clean sheet once, and in five of those matches, they conceded at least two goals. I expect the hosts to perform effectively in attack in this match, so my prediction: Copenhagen Individual Total Over 1
