FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction 18.09.2025 | UEFA Champions League

FC Copenhagen turns their attention to the Champions League after a disappointing 2:1 reversal against Brondby in the Danish Superliga last weekend. A late goal from Stijn Spierings condemned Jacob Neestrup's side to their second domestic defeat of the season. 

Defensive frailties have been evident in the Danes early-season performances, with just two clean sheets kept in their last eight matches. As a consequence, five of their six most recent games finished with BTTS. 

Copenhagen have been strong in their UCL qualification performances, though, securing clean sheet victories against both Basel (2:0) and Malmo (5:0). While the step-up to take on Bayer is a significant one, the hosts will take confidence from their form in this competition, both this season, and in previous years.

Head coach Neestrup could make some changes from the side that slipped to defeat against Brondby. Birger Meling, Thomas Delaney and Andreas Cornelius are among those who could earn recalls to the first XI. 

Bayer Leverkusen head to Denmark in good spirits after a dramatic 3:1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend. Reduced to nine men, they still found a stoppage-time winner as Alejandro Grimaldo struck his second goal of the game to seal a vital victory for Die Schwarzroten.

That success came just days after the club’s hierarchy made the shock decision to part ways with Erik ten Hag, less than three months into his tenure. Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand stepped in on Saturday and now leads Leverkusen into his first European assignment at the Danish national stadium - where he led Denmark between 2020 and 2024. 

High-scoring outcomes have been a recurring theme for Bayer this season. The Bundesliga side saw at least three goals scored in their last five matches and in each of their last five victories.

Head coach Hjulmand is likely to retain confidence in the same XI that began Saturday's much-needed win against Eintracht. The Danish boss is unable to call on a handful of first-team players with Martin Terrier, Exequiel Palacios, Jeanuël Belocian, Arthur and Jonas Hofmann still sidelined with various injury issues.