Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Luckster
After playing out a stalemate in Switzerland, Copenhagen and Basel meet again on Wednesday to settle their Champions League playoff at Parken.
Each side claimed a domestic double last term, and with just one hurdle left, both are within touching distance of securing a place in the league phase of Europe̢۪s premier competition.
FC Copenhagen
Although Basel struck first in last week’s opener â€" captain Xherdan Shaqiri converting from the spot after 14 minutes â€" Copenhagen responded for a 1-1 draw at St Jakob-Park.
Gabriel Pereira̢۪s back-post header equalised just before half time, and the Swiss hosts were reduced to 10 men late on. Now unbeaten in 10 straight away fixtures, FCK have already overcome Drita and Nordic rivals Malmo in qualifying, moving them closer to Europe̢۪s elite stage.
Back home, Jacob Neestrup̢۪s side were held 1-1 by OB at the weekend, but four wins from six still leave them top of the Danish Superliga. With domestic matters steady, Copenhagen can fully focus on sealing their place in Thursday̢۪s draw.
Team News
Injuries continue to sideline Elias Achour and Thomas Delaney, but Pereira has chipped in with goals from defence, striking again in Saturday̢۪s draw.
Up front, Andreas Cornelius is expected to reclaim his role after Youssoufa Moukoko led the line last time out.
Basel
Unlike their Danish hosts, Basel only began their Champions League journey last week, and failing to win at home could come back to haunt them.
Formerly the dominant force in Swiss football, the RotBlau slipped after securing their 20th league crown in 2017, but last season’s title â€" inspired by the returning Shaqiri â€" finally ended an eight-year wait. That triumph earned a route back into Europe’s top competition, where new boss Ludovic Magnin is tasked with reaching the league phase.
With 25 straight seasons of UEFA participation and more Champions League appearances than any other Swiss club, Basel now need victory at Parken to extend their tally to eight. They do, however, benefit from nearly a full week̢۪s rest, having skipped domestic action.
Team News
Star striker Kevin Carlos has departed for Nice, leaving Albian Ajeti to lead the line, supported by Philip Otele and skipper Shaqiri. Defensively, Jonas Adjei Adjetey is suspended, while Finn van Breemen and Kevin Ruegg remain sidelined through injury.
Conclusion
Given Copenhagen’s perfect home record in qualifying â€" capped by a 5-0 demolition of Malmo â€" they are well-placed to come through this decisive playoff.
Basel, meanwhile, have yet to register a clean sheet this season, a weakness that points towards defeat in Denmark and a fallback berth in the Europa League.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Luckster