Kobenhavn vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction: Patrik to have a Schick time

Kobenhavn welcome Bayer Leverkusen to Parken on Thursday (17:45 BST, TNT Sports Extra) as they begin the league phase of the Uefa Champions League. The hosts have made their home a tough place to visit and they welcome a Leverkusen side who have already changed managers this term.

Read on for my Kobenhavn vs Bayer Leverkusen predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Kobenhavn manager Jacob Neestrup is having to deal without  Magnus Mattsson, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. The 26-year-old picked up the issue against FC Basel during a UCL qualifier last month against Basel.

Young talent Oliver Hojer remains on the sidelines following surgery in February, while Jonathan Moalem is still recovering from a hip problem.

Thomas Delaney should man the engine room for the Danish hosts, while Mohamed Elyounoussi and Youssoufa Moukoko may lead the line for the Loverne.

Football Odds

Bayer Leverkusen's Exequiel Palacios was forced to undergo surgery following a serious adductor injury sustained in their most recent clash with Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday, likely bringing his season to a premature end.

Spaniard Aleix Garcia will be pushing for a start in Copenhagen, while Patrik Schick - who has already scored three goals this season – is expected to lead the line and provide their biggest attacking threat.

Support in attack may be provided by Nathan Tella and Malik Tillman.

Kobenhavn vs Bayer Leverkusen Odds

Kobenhavn won their three home games in the qualifying phase of the Champions League while keeping clean sheets. They are 23/10, which has an implied probability of 30.3%, to beat Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen's last away trip saw them draw 3-3 at Werder Bremen. The stalemate here can be backed at 13/5. The visitors are 6/5 to come out on top, winning their previous two matches heading into Thursday.

Over 3.5 goals has landed in three of Leverkusen's five competitive matches this season and is marketed at 2/1 here.

Both teams to score @ 8/13

Despite Leverkusen heading here as the favourites, I don't think it will be an easy game. Kobenhavn are a tough side to take on at Parken and their record here in qualifying this season proves that - three wins with as many clean sheets.

Of course this will be a much tougher test now that we are in the league phase, but they will fancy their chances against their German visitors because of the momentum they have.

I do believe that this is a tough game to call so I'm steering away from a result-based selection, opting for both teams to score instead. This was a winning selection in the only previous UCL encounter between the two sides at Parken - the 2014-15 play-offs.

Additionally, BTTS has struck in five of the hosts' last six competitive games, while there have been goals at both ends in three consecutive Bayer Leverkusen matches in all competitions.

Price Boost - Patrik Schick anytime goalscorer @ 7/5 13/8

The man who has the best credentials to get on the scoresheet in this contest is Leverkusen's Schick, who has four goals in as many games in 2024/25 for Die Werkself.

The Czech Republic international may have a point to prove on this stage after recording just one goal in eight appearances last term - but the season prior, he registered five in nine in the Uefa Europa League.

I like this price boost for him to find the net because he is Leverkusen's biggest attacking threat and he is their most notable penalty taker.

Offers

Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.