FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen: Lineups, Predictions and Betting Tips Predictions

FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen Predictions, Lineups and Betting Tips

Match Details: Thursday 18th September | Parken Stadium | UEFA Champions League | 17:45 GMT

The Champions League is back! The 2025/26 version has already kicked off, but there are still plenty of fixtures yet to come. Amongst them is FC Copenhagen vs Leverkusen, who will face off on Thursday.

This year is only the second season of the ‘Swiss Model’ format, meaning it is still a very much new procedure for most teams. Thursday’s hosts didn’t compete in last term’s competition, however they have started this season on fantastic form.

Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen are struggling domestically by their high standards, but it is still early days.

Key Betting Tip: Bayer Leverkusen to Win offers good value @ 2.05

FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen Predicted Lineups

FC Copenhagen Predicted XI: Kotarski, Lopez, Hatzidiakos, Pereira, Huescas, Achouri, Clem, Lerager, Larsson, Elyounoussi, Moukoko

Copenhagen have three players who are suffering from injury and are likely to miss Thursday’s clash. This includes Jonathan Moslem, Magnus Mattsson ans Oliver Höjer.

Bayer Leverkusen Predicted XI: Flekken, Tapsoba, Quansah, Badé, Grimaldo, Andrich, Garcia, Vásquez, Tillman, Tella, Schick

Leverkusen have four players out with injuries. Arthur, Exequiel Palacios, Jonas Hofmann and Martin Terrier are all likely to miss this Champions League affair.

FC Copenhagen and Bayer Leverkusen Current Form and Standings

FC Copenhagen have had a fantastic start to the season. They currently sit second in the Superligaen table, with 16 points to their name - only one point adrift of AGF in top spot. The Danish outfit have won five and drawn one of their opening eight games into the league season, as well as winning all their ties in the Champions League Qualification stage. This term Copenhagen are back in the Champions League after one season away. Their last campaign in the prestigious tournament was 2023/24, where they made it to the round-of-16.

Bayer Leverkusen have certainly been disappointing so far in their domestic season. After coming second last year and winning the league unbeaten the year before, the Black and Reds take up 10th place in the Bundesliga following their first three games. Kasper Hjulmand’s men have won one, drawn one and lost one so far, but their form does seem to be improving. This season was never going to be as easy for Leverkusen, considering they lost their manager Xabi Alonso and several key players in Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapié.

FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen Head-to-Head Timeline

The last time these two faced competitively was in a two-legged Champions League Qualification tie back in 2014. After an emphatic second leg, Leverkusen progressed through.

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

• Leverkusen 4-0 Copenhagen, 27/08/14 (UCL Qualification 2nd Leg)
• Copenhagen 2-3 Leverkusen, 19/08/14 (UCL Qualification 1st Leg)

FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses 200 data points to generate these predictions with confidence in a 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen Win. This model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability and tactical matchups.

Best FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Bayer Leverkusen to Win @ 2.05 (Kwiff).

(Odds are subject to change)

FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen: Key Players to Watch

Mohamed Elyounoussi (Copenhagen) - The forward is Copenhagen’s top scorer in the Superligaen and the top assist maker. He has netted three goals and grabbed three assists, becoming the club’s star man.

Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen) - The wing-back is one of Leverkusen’s best attacking threats, after already scoring twice and assisting once in the Bundesliga this season. Since signing in 2023, the Spaniard has scored 19 times and assisted on 30 occasions for the German side.

FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen Match Facts

• Referee: Aligarh Aghayev
• Broadcast Details: discovery+ UK / TNT Sports 8
• Stadium Information: The Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark was opened in 1992 and can hold up to 38,190 people on a match day.