Our prediction for this Champions League match:
FC Copenhagen
Match Time & Date:
18 September 2025
17:45
Prediction: 2-1
Bayer Leverkusen
Copenhagen will be aiming to claim a major scalp in their Champions League opener when they face Bayer Leverkusen at Parken Stadium. The Danish champions were producing fine performances in the Champions League qualifiers and they are surely capable of matching the Bundesliga outfit on home soil. A man to watch in the home team will be former Premier League ace Mohamed Elyounoussi, who found the net in a 2-1 loss to Brondby at the weekend, while the likes of Hojer, Mattsson, and Moalem remain in the recovery room.
Bayer Leverkusen chiefs, on the other hand, sold several first-team regulars in the summer transfer window. As new signings will need time to adapt to the new surroundings, we are tempted to place our bets on Copenhagen this time out. To make things even worse for the visiting side, midfielder Exequiel Palacios limped off with injury in a 3-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend.
Highlighted Player (Alex Grimaldo):
Alex Grimaldo is a Spanish footballer who plays for Portuguese side Benfica as a left back. Born in Valencia on September 20, 1995, Grimaldo started his youth career at his hometown club FC Valencia, but in 2008 Barcelona scouts brought him to Camp Nou.
The 171-cm-tall footballer scored six goals in 92 appearances for Barca B before joining Primeira Liga club Benfica in the winter of 2015. Alex Grimaldo made his debut with the Eagles on January 26, 2016 in a 6-1 win at Moreirense in the Taca da Liga. Speaking of his Primeira Liga debut, Grimaldo played his first league game for Benfica on February 29, 2016 in a 2-0 win over Uniao Leiria.
The Benfica defender has two caps for Spain U21 team, but he has yet to make his debut with the senior team. His main position is left-back, but he is capable of producing fine performances as a left winger as well.
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.
Athletic Bilbao 
Arsenal 
Benfica 
Qarabag
Juventus 
Borussia Dortmund 
Real Madrid 
Marseille 
Tottenham 
Villarreal 
Olympiacos 
Pafos 
