Will Copenhagen remain winless against German clubs?

It’s time for the Champions League again. In the top division, there are the best and most beautiful stadiums as well as the best-kept grass pitches. But the exception proves the rule, because the pitch at Parken Stadium is more like a festival lawn after a concert last week. Who will cope better with the conditions in the Danish capital, we look at in our Copenhagen vs Bayern tip.

Only one matchday has been played in Group A of this new season in the top flight, but of course we look at the table first. FC Bayern are at the top of the standings with three points after their home win over Manchester United. Galatasaray Istanbul and FC Copenhagen have one point each after a draw in their opening match. At the bottom of the table is the heavyweight from the Premier League.

We assume that the German record champion will not be able to shake its place in the last 16. Thomas Tuchel’s team will tend to secure the group victory. Manchester could have the best chance of finishing second. The Turks and the Danes are likely to fight it out for third place and a place in the Europa League.

In our opinion, we can only agree with this assessment. We expect Munich, perhaps not effortlessly but nevertheless relatively safely, to record their second win in the second game.

FC Copenhagen – Statistics & current form

Generally, it’s a sign of great development when you get to compete in the Champions League. This is especially true for Danish clubs. The Champions League has been around for over 30 years now and FC Copenhagen is participating in the group stage for the sixth time, this year even for the second time in a row. This makes FCK the most successful Danish club in the top flight.

Strong performances in the park

There’s plenty to look forward to at home against the top clubs, as the underdogs usually show great resilience internationally in their own arena. If you add in the qualifying rounds, FCK have not lost in the Champions League for seven home games. In last year’s group stage alone, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and FC Sevilla were heavyweights in the Danish capital.

The Danish champions’ last home defeat in the group stage of the top flight was against Real Madrid in December 2013. Therefore, one should at least think about taking a look at the odds for a point win for the Danes in the duel between Copenhagen and Bayern, because FCK is in a very acceptable form.

Jacob Neestrup’s team lost only one of their last seven competitive matches. That defeat, however, came last weekend at home to FC Midtjylland, when they were beaten 2-0. Nevertheless, Copenhagen remain top of the Danish Superligaen and are still one point ahead of local rivals Brøndby on 22 points from ten games.

Predicted line-up of FC Copenhagen:

FC Copenhagen (Expected line-up) 4-3-3

Bayern – Statistics & current form

Bayern are the kings of the group stage in the Champions League. For years, the star of the south has easily reached the round of 16. Among other things, this is also due to the terrific results away from home. For 17 away games, the FCB has not lost in the group stage. Should they score in Copenhagen on Tuesday, they would set the sole record in this category, which they currently share with FC Barcelona.

Bayern on course for record

The odds suggest that the Munich side will now remain unbeaten away from home for the 18th time in a row. There are a few factors that explain why the FCB should not lose. Apart from the defeat in the German Supercup, Tuchel’s team is playing a very decent season. The Bavarians are unbeaten in eight league games and have only had to settle for a share of the points twice.

In addition, Harry Kane has hit the ground running at Bayern. The captain of the English national team only left the pitch without scoring in one game in a Bayern shirt. In the Bundesliga he has already scored eight goals in six games and was also successful against Manchester United in the top flight. Therefore, before the match between Copenhagen and Bayern, we now also predict that the Englishman will score his goal.

In the Bundesliga, Bayern dropped to third place last weekend after they had to settle for a fair 2:2 in the top match in Leipzig. The Bulls actually took an early 2-0 lead but Harry Kane and Leroy Sane levelled the scores in the second period. In the end, the match could have gone either way, so Bayern could well live with a point.

Predicted Bayern line-up:

Bayern Munich (Expected line-up) 4-2-3-1

FC Copenhagen – Bayern Direct comparison / H2H balance

FC Copenhagen and FC Bayern will meet in this form for the first time on Tuesday. However, FK was formed from the two clubs Boldklub and Boldklubben 1903 and there was something there. In the UEFA Cup of the 1991/92 season, the Bavarians with Stefan Effenberg, Christian Ziege or Olaf Thon conceded a hefty 2:6 defeat in the second round at B1903, which they were unable to erase in the 1:0 win in the return match.

If you like, the German record champions now have a score to settle with FCK that is over 30 years old. But the Munich team lost its last two games on Danish soil, at B1903 and at Brøndby in 1998. FC Copenhagen have now played twelve matches against German Bundesliga teams and have not won a single one of them.

FC Copenhagen – Bayern tip

FC Bayern will not want to show any weakness in the park on Tuesday. However, the difficult terrain will probably play more into the Danes’ favour, as Bayern will not be able to play their usual fast-paced game on poor surfaces. Nevertheless, we see the Munich team as the clear favourites. A good team can cope with any circumstances and the FCB has proven that in the last 17 away games in the top flight.

If Tuchel’s team manages not to lose in the Danish capital, they would be the sole record holder in this ranking with 18 unbeaten away games in the top flight. The chances are not bad, as the Danes have never won against a Bundesliga team.

We can also basically assume that Harry Kane will contribute his goal again. The Englishman has scored in almost every game for Munich so far. Maybe he will even score a brace. That would play into the cards for our tip, because we have decided to play the betting odds on a handicap win (-1.5) for Thomas Tuchel’s team between Copenhagen and FC Bayern.