Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Basel
Match Time & Date:
20 August 2025
20:00
Prediction: 1-2
FC Copenhagen
There will be fireworks when Basel and FC Copenhagen take on each other in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs. Basel rolled over Biel 6-1 in the Swiss Cup at the weekend, but they face a difficult task against Copenhagen. Both Finn van Breemen and Kevin Ruegg are out of contention with injuries for the home team. The Danish outfit, on the other hand, outclassed Malmo in the third qualifying round, while coming from-behind to beat Nordsjaelland in their last league match.
FC Copenhagen seem to be more of a team than Basel and we predict that the visitors are going to emerge triumphant in Wednesday’s clash. The good news for the visiting team is that summer signing Youssoufa Moukoko has overcome his minor injury. It has to be noted that the two clubs meet for the first time in the elite competition.
Highlighted Player (Xherdan Shaqiri):
Another impressive player who emigrated to Switzerland, Xherdan Shaqiri is a midfielder with excellent technical qualities, very strong in taking players on and creating chances for his teammates, while also being a danger from set pieces. The Serbian-born footballer formed an excellent midfielder pairing with Granit Xhaka at FC Basel, before making a high-profile move to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2012.
Shaqiri went on to prove a great deal of potential at Allianz Arena, scoring 11 goals in 52 Bundesliga matches, but he decided to leave in search of first team football, first joining Inter Milan and then moving to Stoke City. It was at Britannia Stadium that the attacking midfielder rediscovered his form and if he continues playing at such a high level, it won’t be long before he returns to the biggest stage.
Even when he was not playing regularly at club level, Shaqiri would always reserve his best performances for the national team, as witnessed by 17 goals in first 50 caps. The midfielder was especially impressive at the 2014 World Cup finals, where he scored no fewer than three goals.
Highlighted Team (FC Copenhagen):
The most successful club in the history of Danish football FC Kopenhagen was founded in 1992, through the merger of 15-time Danish champions Kjobenhavns Boldklub and seven-time champions of Denmark Boldklubben 1903. Football Club Copenhagen play their matches at the Telia Parken, a venue that can host 38,000 spectators.
The Team of the City as Copenhagen is called in Denmark has won the Danish football championship eleven times, while it has also won the Danish Cup on seven occasions. The club forms great rivalry with Copenhagen’s suburban club Brondby IF with games between the two club attracting some of the biggest crowds in Danish football history in this so called New Firm derby.
Through its history F.C. Copenhagen have participated in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League, while their major European accomplishments have been achieved in the Royal League, with the Danish powerhouse winning two titles and coming as runners-up on one occasion.
Bayer Leverkusen 
Frankfurt 
Sevilla 
Elche 
Arsenal
Nottingham Forest 
Bournemouth
Brighton 
Crystal Palace
Sunderland 
Everton 
Aston Villa 
