Malmo FF vs Kobenhavn Prediction: Sweden and Denmark renew football relations

Malmo are two games away from their first Champions League group stage appearance in four years as they take on Kobenhavn (18:00). The Danish champions lost to Chelsea in the Conference League round of 16 last term. Meanwhile, their Swedish counterparts went out in the league phase of the Europa League.

But FCK are well-versed in this stage of the glitzier competition, having reached the Champions League round of 16 in 2023/24. English opposition eliminated Kobenhavn on that occasion too, in the form of Manchester City. 

Here are my Malmo vs Kobenhavn predictions ahead of this third qualifying round tie.

Team News

Erik Botheim missed Malmo’s 1-0 win over RFS in this competition last Wednesday. Sead Haksabonovic scored the only goal that day, partnered up top by the versatile forward Taha Ali. I expect that same front two to start this first leg.

Anders Christiansen misses out with a groin injury, which likely means veteran Pontus Jansson will once again be joined by the promising Andrej Duric at the back. The 21-year-old has turned out for the age group sides of both Serbia and Montenegro. With manager Henrik Rydström trusting him to deputise for the 35-year-old Christiansen more frequently, it may not be long before we see Duric handed a full international cap.

Football Odds

Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup has needed to rotate, as he faces league action in between his club’s Champions League exploits. Six of the side that beat Drita 1-0 last Tuesday started Copenhagen’s 2-0 win over Federica on Friday.

Former Celtic and Southampton man Mohamed Elyounoussi is unlikely to give way, despite playing in both of last week’s games. Neestrup has options ahead of the wide forward, with strikers Andreas Cornelius and Yousoffa Moukoko duking it out for the starting berth. 

One name Neestrup would have loved to call on is Roony Bardghji, the 19-year-old prodigy who signed for Barcelona this summer. The livewire winger notched 15 goals in 84 games for the The Lions, but he was limited to five appearances last term by a serious knee injury.

Malmo vs Kobenhavn Odds

Malmo are 13/8 to win on the night, giving them a 38.1% implied probability of victory. The Swedish side are 6/4 for our 2 Up Early Payout, which delivers if your team takes a two-goal lead. 

Copenhagen are a slight favourite, priced at 7/5 to pick up the victory in what is a tough game to call. Their 2 Up Early Payout is 5/4, if you fancy the Danes to take a two-goal lead. The draw is priced at 11/5.

Match Result - Draw @ 11/5

First legs are usually the time teams run riot and play with a bit more freedom, knowing they have another 90 minutes the following week to alleviate any concerns. But with two sides as closely-matched as Malmo and Kobenhavn, I could see the first leg being cagey and ending in a stalemate.

Malmo ran riot 4-1 in their first leg against RFS, but the gap in quality was palpable. Copenhagen managed 2-0 in their first leg with Drita. Both sides won their second legs 1-0. 

I don’t think you can draw too much of a conclusion from the more sedate second legs. But with so much to play for, I do not see much separating these two come the final whistle. I think the stalemate is the most likely outcome, giving us a second leg of straight knockout football.

Jordan Larsson to score anytime @ 12/5

The Larsson family knows a little bit about scoring goals. Jordan’s father, Celtic and Sweden icon Henrik Larsson, scored 477 times in a career that also took in Feyenoord, Barcelona, Manchester United and a brace of Helsingborg spells.

A lot to live up to for the younger Larsson. Unlike his Dad, Jordan is a winger. But like his father, he knows where the hole is.

Larsson has bagged two in three games in the league this season. A strong start that could see the 28-year-old improve on his 11 goals in 33 matches across all competitions last term. 

With uncertainty over whether Cornelius or Moukoko will lead the line, I am backing a player I believe is almost certain to feature to find the net.

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