Kobenhavn vs Malmo FF Prediction: Elyounoussi can send Swedes packing

Scandinavian rivals Kobenhavn and Malmo played out a drab scoreless draw in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier in Sweden last week. For the return leg, Malmo will cross the Oresund Bridge into the Danish capital on Tuesday evening (18:00 BST), hoping to keep their hosts at bay and grab a shot at FC Basel for a place in the Champions League proper.

The Danish champions have failed to beat their visitors in three previous attempts, but could grab a vital win this time in what promises to be a tense encounter at Parken Stadium. Below are my Kobenhavn vs Malmo FF predictions, complete with all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

The home side are set to be without Elias Achouri as he limped out of the weekend loss at home to Aarhus in the Superliga.

Football Odds

Mohamed Elyounoussi should get the nod to start in his stead, with Oliver Hojer (surgery), Jonathan Moalem (hip) and Junnosuke Suzuki (unspecified) all missing for Jacob Neestrup's side.

The visitors are fretting on the fitness of Norwegian striker Erik Botheim and could call on Taha Ali or 18-year-old Daniel Gudjohnsen - the son of ex-Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen – if he misses out.

Today's Football Fixtures

Malmo captain Anders Christiansen is sidelined with a groin problem, while 36-year-old left-back Martin Olsson has a hamstring concern.

Kobenhavn vs Malmo FF Odds

With home advantage in their favour, FC Kobenhavn are favourites at 3/5 to edge this clash in 90 minutes.

Malmo FF are 5/1, or a 16.7% chance, for the upset victory, with another stalemate priced at 11/4.

Over 2.5 goals has failed to land in three previous competitive games between this pair, and it is priced at 8/11 to continue in that fashion now.

The home side's Jordan Larsson is 11/2 to score first

Kobenhavn to win & Under 3.5 goals @ 11/10

The three previous competitive meetings between these sides have yielded a total of three goals. Both games in Sweden were drawn, while Malmo benefitted from an own goal to win 1-0 at this stadium in a December 2019 Europa League clash.

Last week's tie saw just one shot on goal registered in what was a poor game, while Malmo couldn't even muster a single corner across the 90 minutes.

The Danish champions were likely the happier side after that stalemate, though.

They lost 3-2 to Aarhus here at the weekend, but had previously kept five clean sheets in succession.

They can keep this tight, too, and make their quality count. Kobenhavn have scored in their last 14 European home games and are fancied to edge a low-scoring tussle.

Mohamed Elyounoussi anytime goalscorer @ 12/5

There is quite a Celtic connection for this tie. Winger Elyounoussi spent time in Glasgow and also played in England with Southampton, while his teammate, Larsson, is the son of iconic Hoops forward Henrik.

On the Malmo side, Saed Haksabanovic is also a former Celtic goalscorer.

Elyounoussi has star quality when he's on form. He blanked last week in a timid contest and was used sparingly in the loss to Aarhus as a second-half sub.

Prior to last week's uninspiring stalemate, Elyounoussi had two goals and two assists in his previous six starts, and he could be pivotal here.

Offers

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