Europe - Champions League
New customers only | Commercial content | 18+ age limit | T&Cs apply
by Daniel Ngulu | in Champions League Predictions
German side Bayer Leverkusen and Danish giants Copenhagen will face off in the opening round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. The two are coming off the back of mixed results in their domestic assignments for their third competitive meeting. In their two meetings in the 2014 Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen posted home and away wins. Can Copenhagen get their revenge, at least in the home leg? Read on for our prediction of the match.
Copenhagen are back in the big league after missing out last season. They came through the qualifying rounds, beating Basel in play-off to secure their spot. Impressively, they scored nine goals in their three home matches in the qualifiers.
At Leverkusen, the new manager is a Dane and will be looking to inflict some pain at home. Kasper Hjulmand is taking charge of his first Champions League game since 2012/13 with Nordsjaelland. He will be gunning for his first ever win in this competition.
Limited Offer. Currently at Stake
The Best Betting Odds for FC Copenhagen v Bayer Leverkusen Match
| Bookmaker | 1 | X | 2 | Bonus up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.1 | 3.3 | 2.3 |
|
|
2.88 | 3.3 | 2.3 |
|
|
3 | 3.4 | 2.3 |
|
|
3 | 3.25 | 2.38 |
|
|
3.15 | 3.3 | 2.32 |
|
What is the prediction for the football match between FC Copenhagen and Bayer Leverkusen?
Our prediction for the FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen match is: draw.
Probabilities according to our algorithm* of possible 1X2 football predictions and best odds for the match on 18/09/2025 between FC Copenhagen and Bayer Leverkusen in Champions League :
- The Sportytrader ⭐ algorithm estimates a probability of 38.4% for a win of FC Copenhagen against Bayer Leverkusen with odds of 3.15 at Unibet.
- The probability according to Sportytrader ⭐ for a draw between FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen is 17.7% with odds of 3.4 at William Hill.
- Our prediction model gives a 43.9% chance ⭐ for a win of Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Copenhagen with odds of 2.38 at Betway.
FC Copenhagen - Bayer Leverkusen Prediction and Best Odds:
| FC Copenhagen Bayer Leverkusen Prediction | Probability | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Bayer Leverkusen wins | 43.9% | 2.38 at Betway |
| Under 2.5 | 51.67% | 2 at Bet365 |
| Both Team To Score | 41.67% | |
| Half-time / Full-time: Bayer Leverkusen/Bayer Leverkusen | 18.22% | 3.75 at Bet365 |
FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen Form
FC Copenhagen and Bayer Leverkusen's standings in the Champions League
| Teams | Pts | P | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
21
|
5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -4 |
|
33
|
1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -8 |
FC Copenhagen and Bayer Leverkusen Last Matches
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
13 Sept 2025 - Superliga
31 Aug 2025 - Superliga
27 Aug 2025 - Champions League
23 Aug 2025 - Superliga
20 Aug 2025 - Champions League
15 Aug 2025 - Superliga
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
27 Aug 2025 - Champions League
23 Aug 2025 - Superliga
12 Aug 2025 - Champions League
8 Aug 2025 - Superliga
26 Jul 2025 - Superliga
22 Jul 2025 - Champions League
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
13 Sept 2025 - Superliga
31 Aug 2025 - Superliga
20 Aug 2025 - Champions League
15 Aug 2025 - Superliga
5 Aug 2025 - Champions League
1 Aug 2025 - Superliga
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
12 Sept 2025 - Bundesliga
30 Aug 2025 - Bundesliga
23 Aug 2025 - Bundesliga
15 Aug 2025 - DFB Pokal
8 Aug 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
5 Aug 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
12 Sept 2025 - Bundesliga
23 Aug 2025 - Bundesliga
5 Aug 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
11 May 2025 - Bundesliga
26 Apr 2025 - Bundesliga
12 Apr 2025 - Bundesliga
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
30 Aug 2025 - Bundesliga
15 Aug 2025 - DFB Pokal
8 Aug 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
1 Aug 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
27 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
18 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen Stats: Head to Head (H2H)
15 Jan 2023 - Clubs Friendlies
FC Copenhagen - Bayer Leverkusen: Form Analysis
Copenhagen are getting here off the back of a painful 2-1 loss, inflicted by archrivals Brondby. There will be no time to dwell on the defeat though, as they go into their first ever match since the competition’s revamp.
This is a big leap for the hosts, who played in the Conference League last season, finishing 18th in the league phase after winning two of their six matches. Incredibly, in the qualifiers, Copenhagen conceded just one goal, away to Basel in a 1-1 draw.
They actually went through the qualifiers unbeaten and registered a 9-0 scorelinein home matches. That should breed some confidence in Jacob Neestrup’s men.
Leverkusen are winless in their last four away Champions League matches.
Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, put an end to their miserable Bundesliga start to win the first league match in three. They had two men sent off but still managed a 3-1 victory at home against Eintracht Frankfurt.
If they have to carry something from their recent run to the Champions League, it has to be their scoring form. The former German champions have scored 11 times in their four matches in all competitions so far.
They are still in transition after many changes in the summer, so a win here will do them a lot of good. Being winless in four away matches in this competition isn’t a great run to take into this match, though.
Limited Offer. Currently at Stake
FC Copenhagen against Bayer Leverkusen Lineups: Starting 11
Formation : 4 - 4 - 2
Formation : 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
FC Copenhagen & Bayer Leverkusen Squad Analysis
The experienced Mohamed Elyounoussi is the man to watch for Copenhagen. He is having a good campaign and has thus far netted three goals and provided as many assists in eight Danish Superliga games. In the Champions League qualifying campaign, Elyounoussi chipped in with a goal and three assists in six appearances.
He comes into this match in fine form, having scored in the last two straight games. Expect the Norwegian to play a key role in this game.
Former Dortmund forward Youssoufa Moukoko is also a player who could have an impact in this game. He has scored two and assisted one so far in eight league matches. During the qualifiers he also came through with a goal in their win over Basel.
Elyounoussi has been in good form and comes here with eight goal contributions in the last seven matches.
At Leverkusen, a busy transfer window saw the team lose a core of its talent, from defence to attack. The former German champions are basically rebuilding but will be thankful to still have Patrik Schick, who has scored four times up to this point.
With the likes of Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface having left, much of the hopes in attack are placed on this Czech forward, as well as wing back Alex Grimaldo, who has four goal contributions this season.
The visitors will be without Argentine midfielder Exequiel Palacios, who is likely going to miss the rest of the season.
Most goals and assists
FC Copenhagen
Bayer Leverkusen
J. Larsson
(5 Goals)
P. Schick
(7 Goals)
, 
A. Grimaldo
(7 Goals)
R. Huescas
(5 Assists)
E. Poku
(4 Assists)
FC Copenhagen - Bayer Leverkusen Key Points
- In their last eight Champions League matches, Leverkusen won just three.
- Copenhagen drew twice in their latest four Champions League matches.
- Leverkusen are winless in two of their season-opening four games.
- Copenhagen failed to win in three of their latest five outings.
- Leverkusen are winless in their last four away Champions League matches.
Limited Offer. Currently at Stake
Our FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen on any other day would walk into this game as the overwhelming favorites. They have two wins in two meetings with Copenhagen to support that. However, their start to the season has been erratic, and their Champions League record on the road doesn’t inspire confidence.
There’s a feeling Copenhagen might pull a surprise on them here, especially looking at how the hosts performed in the qualifiers. Copenhagen have lost once in 10 home matches and could surprise here. Our prediction for Copenhagen v Bayer Leverkusen is for a draw.
FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen - Other Interesting Predictions
Over 2.5 goals
Copenhagen have had a good run at home, and this has come hand in hand with their good scoring form. In the qualifiers, they scored nine goals in three home matches. Dortmund will also come carrying a serious goal threat to this game.
They have scored 21 times in their four matches this season. Each of the Germans’ last two matches saw them score three times. As we feel this could be high-scoring, our second prediction for the match is over 2.5 goals.
Last Minute: Pre-match odds analysis FC Copenhagen Bayer Leverkusen
| FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen | Opening odds | Pre-match odds | Odds Movements |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC Copenhagen wins | 4 | 3.1 | -22.5% |
| Draw | 3.5 | 3.3 | -5.7% |
| Bayer Leverkusen wins | 1.9 | 2.3 | +21.1% |
After kick-off, the latest odds movements show that:
- Bayer Leverkusen is most likely to win
- The odds for this bet have increased by 21.1% since opening
- The probability of this result was 52.6% and is now 43.5% (-9.2%)
Win free tickets to FC Copenhagen vs. Bayer Leverkusen at Bet365!
With the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 season starts, bet365 offers free tickets for their users, including FC Copenhagen vs. Bayer Leverkusen match!
To be in with a chance of winning tickets to any of the UEFA Champions League matchdays throughout the 2025/26 season, all fans must do is enter into the free-to-enter weekly ticket draws on the bet365 website or app*.
*Entrants must be 18+ and UK residents, with a bet365 account. All entrants will be subjectto vetting to ensure they are compliant with responsible gambling guidelines.
FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen match : Frequently asked questions
The Copenhagen v Bayer Leverkusen match will be aired on Viaplay for the Danish fans, while in Germany it will be aired on DAZN and ZDF. On SportyTrader, you can get the live updates through our UEFA Champions League portal.
The Copenhagen v Bayer Leverkusen match will be played at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.
The Copenhagen v Bayer Leverkusen match will be played on Thursday, 18th September.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
