FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen Champions League preview: Team news and predicted lineups | OneFootball

Having taken over from Erik ten Hag just two league games into the season, Kasper Hjulmand got off to a successful start as Bayer Leverkusen coach, leading his new team to a 3-1 home victory over in-form Eintracht Frankfurt despite being reduced to nine men.

That first Bundesliga win of the season should give the German vice-champions confidence as they travel to the Danish capital to face FC Copenhagen in their Champions League opener at Parken on Thursday evening.

The Danish champions lost top spot in the Danish Superliga at the weekend, suffering a painful 2-1 defeat to bitter rivals Brøndby - a result they will be determined to bounce back from.

Copenhagen had to navigate three qualifying rounds, defeating Drita, Malmö and Basel, before securing their spot in this year’s Champions League. They are, however, no strangers to the tournament, having qualified in three of the last four seasons.

The game will be extra special for Hjulmand, as he returns to his home country and to Parken - the stadium where he experienced both highs and lows during his four-year spell as Denmark coach.

Speaking to Viaplay ahead of the game, Hjulmand admitted that it will be a unique experience for him.

“It's really strange. Maybe I'll go into the wrong dressing room when I get there,” he joked.

“Of course I've had so many fantastic experiences there. Now I'll be in the other part of the dugout, but when the match gets underway, I'll forget all that.

"It is a weird feeling, but when the game starts, I'll be focused. We'll go there to create a big evening for both Danish and German football.”

Team news and predicted lineups:

FC Copenhagen will be without long-term injured key midfielder Magnus Mattsson (knee) and youngsters Oliver Højer (surgery) and Jonathan Moalem (hip).

Bayer Leverkusen suffered a significant setback at the weekend as Exequiel Palacios picked up a long-term injury, but aside from that, Hjulmand is expected to have his full Champions League squad available.

Click here to see our predicted FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen lineups.