At St. Jakob-Park, on Wednesday, August 20, Basel will host FC Copenhagen in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 qualification playoff. The Swiss side dreams of returning to the top European competition eight years after their last appearance, when they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Manchester City. In the following two editions, Basel failed to get through the qualifying rounds, going out in the second round against PAOK Thessaloniki in 2018/19 and in the third round against LASK in 2019/20. Having won the Swiss Super League 2024/25, Ludovic Magnin’s team hasn’t yet played in this season’s Champions League qualifying campaign, but they have shown inconsistency in the opening four rounds of the domestic league, which started on July 26. On the other hand, FC Copenhagen earned their place in this playoff after winning two previous rounds. The Danish champions of the 2024/25 Superligaen defeated Kosovo’s Drita 3-0 and then crushed Sweden’s Malmo 5-0, moving just one step away from returning to the UEFA Champions League after a one-year absence. To achieve this goal, they need to come back from Basel with a positive result — something not impossible, considering the Swiss side’s shaky start and the defensive solidity shown so far by the Danes. One thing is certain: both teams will give everything to secure one of the 36 spots in this season’s Champions League group stage.

Basel's recent form and key stats

Basel has not always convinced in this very early part of the season, collecting three wins and two defeats in their first five official matches. In their most recent game, on August 16, they thrashed lower-tier side Biel 6-1 in the Swiss Cup Round of 64.

Across their opening five fixtures, Ludovic Magnin’s men have scored consistently, averaging 2.4 goals per match, but they have also shown defensive lapses, conceding an average of 1.6 goals per game. For the clash against the Danes, the Swiss coach will be without two defenders: Kevin Ruegg and Finn van Breemen, both sidelined with injuries.

FC Copenhagen's recent form and key stats

The Danes arrive in excellent shape, having lost just one of their first nine matches of the 2025/26 season (7 wins, 1 draw). Last weekend, the Lions secured a 3-1 away win at Nordsjaelland in the 5th round of the Superliga, thanks to goals from Moukoko, Hatzidiakos, and Zague. That victory followed the emphatic 5-0 triumph over Malmo on August 12.

Jacob Neestrup’s team has built its strength on defense, keeping clean sheets in six of their last nine matches. Meanwhile, the attack — powered by goal-scoring midfielder Magnus Mattsson — is in excellent form, with 10 goals scored across the last three games in all competitions. As for absences, they could be hurt by the unavailability of Thomas Delaney in midfield and Elias Achouri on the left wing.

Basel vs FC Copenhagen prediction and tactical outlook

Basel, unbeaten at home in their last eight matches, have scored six goals in their first two home games of the season, conceding one each time. Eight of their last nine matches at St. Jakob-Park have finished with at least three total goals, highlighting a team that scores plenty at home but almost always allows their opponents opportunities as well.

FC Copenhagen could take advantage of Basel’s defensive fragility at home, especially since the Danes have averaged 1.8 goals per game in their first five away matches this season. It’s also worth noting that Basel has conceded at least once in each of their last eleven games.

While the outcome looks very balanced, BetMines’ algorithm leans towards an entertaining clash with at least three goals. Players who could make the difference include Magnus Mattsson for Copenhagen, already on 5 goals in 8 matches, and the evergreen Xherdan Shaqiri for Basel, who has scored 3 times in his first 5 appearances.

• Basel vs FC Copenhagen Prediction by BetMines: Over 2.5 goals with 59% probability
  
  
• Basel vs FC Copenhagen Prediction by BetMines: Under 2.5 goals with 41% probability

Probable lineups Basel vs FC Copenhagen

BASEL (4-2-3-1): Hitz; Tsunemoto, Adjetey, Vouilloz, Schmid; Metinho, Leroy; Traore, Shaqiri, Otele; Ajeti. Coach: Ludovic Magnin

FC COPENHAGEN (4-4-1-1): Kotarski; Huescas, Hatzidiakos, Pereira, Lopez; Larsson, Lerager, Mattsson, Robert; Elyounoussi; Cornelius. Coach: Jacob Neestrup