The second leg of the 3rd qualifying round of the 2025/26 Champions League between Copenhagen (Denmark) and Malmö (Sweden) will take place on August 12 at Parken Stadium. The first match ended in a 0-0 draw. Copenhagen vs. Malmö: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Copenhagen
Jakob Neestrup's team managed a draw in the first match. As a result, Copenhagen avoided defeat in 14 of their last 18 Champions League encounters (7 wins, 7 draws). Additionally, the team kept a clean sheet in the last three fixtures of this European competition. However, for the first time in six Champions League confrontations, the Danes failed to score. To advance to the next qualifying round, the club needs to secure a win in regular time.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 14 of their last 16 home matches in the Champions League (8 wins, 6 draws).
- The club scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in regular time in 5 of their last 6 home games in this European competition.
- The Danes conceded a maximum of one goal in 90 minutes in 12 of their last 16 home matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Copenhagen (4-5-1)
Dominik Kotarski – Marcos Lopez, Gabriel Pereira, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Rodrigo Uescas – Lukas Lerager, Mohamed Elias Achouri, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Thomas Delaney, Jordan Larsson – Andreas Cornelius.
Participation of forward Youssoufa Moukoko is in doubt.
Malmö
Henrik Rydström's side failed to win the first match and did not register a shot on target. Consequently, Malmö ended their 4-match winning streak in the Champions League. Meanwhile, the team managed to keep a clean sheet for only the second time in their last 22 games in this European competition. To advance, the Swedes need to win in regular time, otherwise, extra time will be played in case of a draw.
- The team has not won in regular time in 9 of their last 11 away matches in the Champions League (2 draws, 7 losses).
- The club conceded goals in 14 previous away games in this European competition.
- Both opponents scored in regular time in 5 of Malmö's last 7 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Malmö (4-4-2)
Robin Olsen – Andrej Djuric, Jens Stryger Larsen, Colin Rösler, Pontus Jansson – Gabriel Busanello, Oliver Berg, Otto Rosengren, Lasse Berg Johnsen – Hugo Bolin, Taha Ali.
Midfielder Anders Christiansen will not play due to injury.
Referee
Jose Maria Sanchez (Spain)
Matches – 12 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 42;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.5;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 17%.
Copenhagen vs. Malmö: Match Prediction
In the first meeting, both teams struggled in attack, registering only one shot on target between them. However, I expect a more open game in the return leg as both sides need a win. Copenhagen rarely faces difficulties breaking down opponents' defenses: the club has scored in their last six home matches in the Champions League, even netting against Bayern Munich and Manchester City during this period.
Malmö, on the road, often pressures the opposing defense and scores regularly: in the last seven away matches in the Champions League, the team left the field without scoring only twice. Furthermore, the Swedes scored 15 times during this period. However, the club struggles defensively: in the last 14 away matches, Malmö has not managed to keep a clean sheet.
I expect a high-scoring encounter in this match, so my prediction is: Total over 2 goals
