Copenhagen – Leverkusen Tip Champions League, Matchday 1 on Wednesday, 09/17/2025 at 9:00 p.m.
Kaspar Hjulmand has barely signed with Werkself, and the former coach of the Danish national team can already claim a kind of home advantage. With the Rhinelanders, the recently hired coach will be a guest at FC Copenhagen this evening.
Here, he will have to prove that the new broom also sweeps clean in the Champions League. After a turbulent start to the season, including the sudden dismissal of ten Hag, Hjulmand already made a great impression in his debut against Frankfurt.
I see the anything but predictable 3-1 win against Eintracht as a trend-setting breakthrough, which is why my Copenhagen vs. Leverkusen prediction is now also pointing to a win for Bayer 04!
However, it is anything but a foregone conclusion that Leverkusen will win in Copenhagen. Although the most popular betting apps also list the Werkself as the favorites, other teams have also struggled at Parken.
Two years ago, Manchester United’s Champions League season was over after the group stage, not least because of a 3-4 defeat at FCK. The year before, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, and Sevilla FC each came away from the Danish capital with just one point.
What is particularly remarkable is how little the hosts have conceded on their home turf, with no goals conceded in six of their last nine Champions League home games.
However, I am convinced that Bayer still has so much ground to make up after their sobering start to the season that a completely different Copenhagen Leverkusen prediction is recommended here.
Copenhagen – Leverkusen Prediction & Betting
When it comes to goals in the Copenhagen vs. Leverkusen prediction, a goal from Schick is my top priority. Since the Czech has been scoring almost every game recently, the odds of 2.35 available for this are absolutely fine in my opinion.
My other predictions also consistently favor Leverkusen, in line with my main prediction. I can even imagine that after their breakthrough against Frankfurt, things will really start to click for them now.
If I am considering a handicap bet of -1 at odds of 3.80, this should also be seen as a nod to last season, when they finished as German runners-up.
Around 12 months ago, the factory team started the Champions League year with an incredible 4-0 triumph at Feyenoord – a team that is widely feared for its home strength, mind you.
What you need to know about Copenhagen vs. Leverkusen betting
- Copenhagen has lost only two of its 14 competitive games in the 2025/26 season. During this period, the team has scored an average of 2.14 goals per game, 1.35 more than it has conceded.
- Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League games last season averaged 2.7 goals, the sixth-lowest average in the competition.
- Both teams have scored in five of FC Copenhagen’s last six competitive games, with an average of 3.17 goals scored. This selection has also won in all three of Leverkusen’s league games this season.
- Patrik Schick has scored four goals in four competitive games for Leverkusen this season. The striker ranks among the top 1% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues over the last 12 months in terms of non-penalty goals per 90 minutes.
Copenhagen – Leverkusen: AI tip & odds analysis
Of course, I also asked our in-house artificial intelligence for proven recommendations regarding Copenhagen vs. Leverkusen – with what I consider to be very useful results.
I have no hesitation in going for the safe Copenhagen Leverkusen tip. As both teams have scored in all three of the Werkself’s Bundesliga games so far, we can expect a “BTS” at Parken too – currently quoted at around 1.60.
I also have no objections whatsoever to the Copenhagen Frankfurt tip with medium risk – on the contrary! The fact that Leverkusen is also predicted to win its opening game in Denmark according to the AI forecast only adds to my own recommendation.
Since Leverkusen must score at least three goals to win and achieve BTS, I don’t see any problem with the “risky tip” of over 3.5 goals at odds of around 2.35 at established and new betting providers – although I have made much riskier tips in my career.
The best odds for Copenhagen vs. Leverkusen
Given FC Copenhagen’s impressive home statistics, I can’t blame anyone for going against my Copenhagen Leverkusen tip and opting for the slightly higher odds offered by the official underdog.
A win for FCK is quite attractive at 3.25. Even the double chance 1X still seems playable at 1.65.
Nevertheless, I am firmly convinced that the odds I am looking for for the favorites are also top notch. If you remember how Leverkusen marched through the league phase last year, odds above 2.2 are a gift.
However, as die-hard draw bettors in particular have long known, the odds of around 3.4 offered for this are at best an above-average return.
Copenhagen vs. Leverkusen match analysis:
A good start is extremely important in the Champions League group stage, so both teams will be looking to take all three points here.
Copenhagen is used to being the favorite in its domestic league, especially at home, but the visitors are likely to have the better chances here.
Under Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen was a possession-oriented team. Last season, its average possession in the Bundesliga was almost 60%, but this season it has dropped to 51%.
In their first game under Kasper Hjulmand, the Werks-Kicker had only 39% possession, but managed to create far more clear scoring chances than Frankfurt – not least thanks to their quality from set pieces.
Jacob Neestrup must prepare his team for Leverkusen’s counterattacks. The Bundesliga club has a lot of pace in attack and uses it to devastating effect. However, Copenhagen cannot afford to give away dangerous free kicks in order to stop Leverkusen.
Alejandro Grimaldo scored two excellent free kick goals in the 3-1 win over Leverkusen. Patrik Schick is also a major threat in the game. Over the past 12 months, he has scored an average of 0.85 goals per 90 minutes without penalties.
Given the Werkself’s resurgent offensive qualities, there is a lot to be said for a generous goal bet in the Copenhagen Leverkusen tip.
FC Copenhagen form check
Copenhagen kicks off its seventh Champions League season with an important home game against Leverkusen. No other Danish team has participated in the UEFA Champions League more often than Jacob Neestrup’s team.
The hosts have survived three qualifying rounds, securing their place with victories over Drita, Malmö, and Basel. Copenhagen has historically been strong at home, losing only two of its last 18 home games in the Champions League group stage, while keeping six clean sheets in its last nine games.
Copenhagen’s Champions League journey follows a memorable 2024/25 season in which the club won its 16th league title and the Danish Cup.
The team is currently in second place in the Superliga after a 2-1 defeat to rivals Brøndby.
Despite this setback, the Danish champions are looking to capitalize on their home advantage, relying on Mohamed Elyounoussi, who scored 11 goals and provided 9 assists last season, and Youssoufa Moukoko.
However, the team will have to do without its top scorer Magnus Mattson, who is out with an injury.
Leverkusen Form check
Bayer Leverkusen is starting the UEFA Champions League with renewed optimism under its new coach Kasper Hjulmand.
Hjulmand has already achieved his first successes thanks to a 3-1 home win against Eintracht Frankfurt. Alejandro Grimaldo shone in this game with two free-kick goals – he has now scored a total of six goals since his transfer in 2023/24, more than any other player in the five top European leagues during the same period.
Patrik Schick, another exceptional player, scored his fourth goal in four games, continuing his goal-scoring streak from last season – and is therefore an exciting option in the Copenhagen Leverkusen betting odds.
Hjulmand, known for his successful work with the Danish national team, took over a newly formed squad following the departures of Florian Wirtz and Granit Xhaka. New signings such as Jarell Quansah, who scored on his debut, and Lucas Vázquez bring fresh talent to the team.
In preparation for the game against Copenhagen, Leverkusen wants to use its squad depth to make a mark on the European stage.
