Copenhagen begin their journey in Europe this season with a UEFA Champions League qualifier away at Drita in the first leg on Tuesday. The Danes will be banking on their experience against the visitors, who generally struggle to get past this stage of the competition.
As regular campaigners in European competition, Copenhagen drew a bye in the first round and are making their first appearance in the qualifiers. They have been in good form lately and are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches, picking up a 3-2 victory over Viborg in a Danish Superliga clash last Saturday.
It is a similar situation at home for Copenhagen, who are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches at Parken. Among the results for Jacob Neestrup's men on this run are successive 3-0 victories over Nordsjaelland and Silkeborg.
Drita progressed to the second round after claiming a 4-2 aggregate victory over Differdange. They did the double over the side from Luxembourg, earning a 1-0 win at home before a 3-2 away triumph in the second leg.
The problem for Drita is that they often fail to make it past the qualifying stage and have never reached the group phase of any UEFA competition. They also head into Tuesday's clash with a dodgy away record and are winless in five of their last seven matches on the road.
How the bookies view it: Copenhagen overwhelming favourites
The bookies have installed Copenhagen as overwhelming favourites, with a home win priced at 1/8 with BoyleSports. An unlikely victory for Drita is valued at 16/1 while a draw is set at odds of 11/2.
Head to head: No previous meetings
This will be the first ever meeting between Copenhagen and Drita.
Players to watch: Eyes on Elyounoussi
Mohamed Elyounoussi was on target in the win over Viborg and often carries the attacking threat for Copenhagen. Elias Achouri also got on the score sheet, and both men can help the hosts produce over 2.5 goals – available at 8/13 with BoyleSports.
Drita looked formidable going forward in the previous round, with Arb Manaj scoring three times while Veton Tusha was on target just once. Both men can combine to produce over 0.5 goals for the visitors (Drita 0.5 goals priced at 6/5).
Probable line-ups:
Copenhagen have no injury worries and could stick with a bulk of the players that featured against Viborg. Elyounousi and Achouri should retain their places in the team, while Gabriel Pereira is set to continue at the back.
Tusha could be handed a start on Tuesday after scoring off the bench in the previous fixture. Manaj should continue to lead the line while Juan Mesa is expected to retain his place at the heart of the defence.
Copenhagen: Kotarski, Lopez, Hatzidiakos, Pereira, Huescas, Larsson, Delaney, Froholdt, Achouri, Elyounoussi, Moukoko
Drita: Maloku, Ovuoka, Mesa, Bejtulai, Krasniki, Dabiqai, Broja, Ajzerai, Krasniqi, Tusha, Manaj
Anything else catch the eye?
Copenhagen will be keen to maintain their one-sided wins over Silkeborg and Nordsjaelland and could be backed in the handicap market (Copenhagen -1 handicap at 21/20). The hosts also scored in both halves in the win over Viborg (Copenhagen to score in both halves – 8/13).
There have been over 3.5 goals in four Drita’s last five matches (Over 3.5 goals – offered at 21/20 with BoyleSports).
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