Champions League: Copenhagen Dreams of a Wonderful Night in Munich

Bayern Munich vs FC Copenhagen

FC Bayern have already nailed down their place in the Champions League knockout phase but for their next opponents, FC Copenhagen, it’s all to play for.

With four wins from four the Bundesliga champions are streets ahead of the other three teams in Group A who are all separated by a single point. Galatasaray hosts Manchester United in the other tie and a draw in that game will probably be the best result for the Danes. Champions League: Bayern vs Copenhagen is a handy run-out for the Bavarians, who are trying to chase down Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, but it is a huge night for the Denmark SuperLiga side.  

Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern come into the game on the back of a hard fought 1-0 win away to Koln, while Copenhagen boss Jacob Leestrup needs to pick his team up after they lost 2-1 away to Viborg.  

Of course the pre-match Bayern vs Copenhagen betting odds don’t give the visitors much hope…but that won’t stop Danish side from dreaming.  

Talking Points

Record breaker Kane just can’t stop scoring

The prolific Harry Kane, with four goals in Europe and two assists, is on track to pick up some silverware in his first season in Germany, whether in the Champions League or the domestic competitions remains to be seen, but he is already breaking records in the Bundesliga with only a third of the campaign gone. With 18 goals from 12 games he is the highest scoring Englishman in the German league and he reached that benchmark when he scored the only goal in Bayern’s win in Koln at the weekend. He is also the first player in Bundesliga history to score 18 goals in the first 12 games.       

The German giants are the second favourites to win the 2023/24 Champions League at SBOTOP odds of 5.00 and that makes them a formidable opponent. And if Kane keeps his form up I wouldn’t bet against them pushing the favourites, Manchester City, very hard.    

Unfancied Danes are still fighting

At the start of this Champions League campaign nobody (outside Denmark) really expected FC Copenhagen to escape the tough Group A. But, with two games to play their destiny is in their own hands. Copenhagen came out on top in a seven goal thriller against Manchester United and that result kept their campaign alive; and while VAR took centre stage it’s hard to deny that the Danes deserved their victory because, despite being 2-0 down and then 3-2 behind with less than ten minutes to play, Leestrup’s men never gave up. 

Copenhagen boy Rasmus Hojlund scored twice in the first half to put the Red Devils firmly in charge. But a VAR red card for United striker Marcus Rashford unsettled the visitors and Copehagen roared back with goals from Mohamed Elyounoussi and Diogo Goncalves. VAR then helped the Manchester side with a controversial penalty which Bruno Fernandes fired home but Copenhagen weren’t done. 

Lucas Lerager and 18 year old Swede Roony Bardghiji scored late goals and the Danes are right back in the competition.       

Top of the Danish Superliga, Copenhagen are used to winning, but now they face the biggest test of all.    

History

In the only previous meeting Bayern came from behind to win 2-1 in Copenhagen in October. After a quiet first half Lerager was on the spot to give the Danes a lead early in the second period, but goals from Jamal Musiala and Mathys Tel preserved the Bavarians’ 100 per cent record.  

In terms of recent form, both are strong. Copenhagen have won four, drawn one and lost one of the last six while Bayern have won five and lost one. But there aren’t many stats to support the Danes and Tuchel’s men have won their last six games at the Allianz Arena  

Betting Tip

At 8.44 to win and 6.14 to draw the Danes are outsiders to pick up anything in Munich, with their hosts at a short price of 1.19. Galatasaray and Manchester United fans have plenty to worry about and they will be keeping a close ear on the Bayern vs Copenhagen updates. But there is a gulf in class between the hosts and their visitors; I expect Bayern to win, but the margin is anybody’s guess; after all, Tuchel’s side slapped Darmstadt 8-0 in a recent Bundesliga game. I think the Danes will run all night and so I’m going for 2-0.

 

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