Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Copenhagenvs.Kilmarnock

sportsmole.co.uk, 20 August 2024, 17:06
Copenhagen will take on Kilmarnock at the Parken on Thursday evening as the two teams battle it out in the first game of their two-legged showdown in the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff qualifying round.

The hosts narrowly progressed past Banik Ostrava in the last round, winning 2-1 on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw, while the visitors defeated Tromso 3-2 over two legs in their third qualifying round tie.

Match preview

Copenhagen suffered an underwhelming 2023-24 campaign, finishing third in the Danish Superliga, four points behind champions Midtjylland, bringing an end to a two-year streak of league titles.

They did, however, enjoy success in Europe, qualifying for the Champions League group stage with wins against Breidablik Kopavogur, Sparta Prague and Rakow in the qualifying rounds.

Despite being drawn in a difficult group alongside Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Galatasaray, where they were widely expected to finish last, Copenhagen defied expectations and amazingly finished in second, progressing into the knockout rounds.

Jacob Neestrup's side faced another challenging draw in the round of 16, going up against reigning champions Manchester City, and they were comprehensively beaten 6-2 on aggregate.

After the overall disappointment of last campaign, Neestrup's men had a positive pre-season ahead of 2024-25, winning three, losing one and drawing one of their five friendly games.

Copenhagen have since enjoyed a brilliant start to the campaign, remaining unbeaten after nine matches across all competitions, managing six wins in that time.

They were only able to muster a draw from their last match against Viborg in the league, and Neestrup will be aiming for a much better performance here.

Kilmarnock have been on the rise since their shock relegation in 2020-21, managing to earn promotion in the first attempt with a Scottish Championship title victory.

They narrowly survived relegation in their return to the Scottish Premiership, finishing the regular season on 31 points and in 11th place before moving into 10th in the post-split season, six points above 11th-placed Ross County.

Derek McInnes's side followed that with a phenomenal 2023-24 campaign, finishing fourth in the Scottish top-flight with 56 points from 38 fixtures, securing their highest league finish since placing third in 2018-19.

That result also saw them achieve their first chance at qualifying for a European competition since they lost to Connah's Quay Nomads in the Europa League first qualifying round.

Kilmarnock have had a tough beginning to this campaign, only winning one of their opening seven matches across all competitions, leaving them with little confidence heading into this one.

Copenhagen Europa Conference League form:

W

W

W

W

Copenhagen form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

W

D

Kilmarnock Europa Conference League form:

D

W

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

L

L

D

L

W

D

Team News

The hosts could be without Andreas Cornelius, Jordan Larsson, Nicolai Boilesen, Rodrigo Huescas, Roony Bardghji, Thomas Delaney and Viktor Claesson for this game due to injury issues.

Orri Oskarsson has scored six goals in nine games across all competitions this season, and the 19-year-old is expected to start up front in this one.

Kyle Magennis is expected to be the only absentee for the visitors due to a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the side since December, though he is likely to return later this month.

Kilmarnock have struggled for goals so far this campaign, failing to score in the league and netting just four times in seven matches, leaving them relying on Kyle Vassell and Bruce Anderson to improve in front of goal.

Copenhagen possible starting lineup:

Trott; Diks, Vavro, Garananga, Meling; Lerager, Jensen, Froholdt; Achouri, Oskarsson, Elyounoussi

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

McCrorie; Mayo, Wright, Findlay, Bainbridge; Armstrong, Lyons, Donnelly, Kennedy; Vassell, Anderson

We say: Copenhagen 2-0 Kilmarnock

Previews by email

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Oxford United play host to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that will move them away from the relegation zone. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bristol City play host to Burnley on Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to catapult themselves up the Championship table. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After losing four games in a row across all competitions for the first time under manager Pep Guardiola, Manchester City will endeavour to return to winning ways during a tricky fixture schedule leading up to Christmas. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The faltering title hopefuls meet the unexpected Champions League challengers on Saturday afternoon, as Arsenal and Nottingham Forest collide at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League. 21 November 2024 talksport.com The chance to make your first senior start in professional football is what any player dreams of - unless you've been up partying all night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo will have to assess a couple of his international contingent before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at the Emirates. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on what the impact of moving to Saudi Arabia had on his family. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has several fitness doubts to assess for Saturday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at the Emirates. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Remarkably only separated by goal difference in the Premier League standings, ailing Arsenal and high-flying Nottingham Forest prepare for an intriguing battle at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to make it successive wins in La Liga when they travel to Leganes on Sunday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City could be boosted by the return of several first-team stars for Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will endeavour to close the five-point gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Juan Mata has made history by investing in new MLS outfit San Diego FC. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim's first taste of Premier League football will come on Sunday afternoon, when he leads his Manchester United team against Ipswich Town at Portman Road. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim is reportedly backing Manchester United to re-sign Angel Gomes as part of his Old Trafford rebuild. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Celtic will be looking to remain top of the Scottish Premiership when they take on Hearts at an unusual time this weekend. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Brighton may have unearthed another gem, this time their impressive web of recruitment has landed Diego Gomez. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Steve Cooper would like at least two new signings in the January transfer window to go straight into his Leicester starting line-up, talkSPORT understands. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be aiming to return to winning ways when they head to Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lille president Olivier Letang has ruled out a January departure for Jonathan David, as the French outfit battle to convince the in-demand centre-forward to sign a new contract at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler has a debilitating fitness crisis to work around for Saturday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Gary Neville has lifted the lid on his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo following the Portuguese star's infamous pitchside snub. 21 November 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT.com is here to keep you up to date with all the latest news from the Premier League and beyond. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are allegedly planning to sign a new left-back next year, with an incoming in that area of the field during the January transfer window regarded as a possibility. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola will be forced into at least one midfield alteration for Saturday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Vitality Stadium. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two South Coast outfits collide at the Vitality Stadium in Saturday's Premier League battle, as Bournemouth scrap it out with Brighton & Hove Albion. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ed Sheeran persuaded one major signing to join Ipswich this summer by speaking to him moments before joining Taylor Swift on stage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has reportedly spoken to Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ousmane Diomande about a possible move to Old Trafford next year. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk It is fair to say that November's international break came at a suitable time for an injury-hit Manchester City side that have lost each of their last four matches in all competitions for the first time under manager Pep Guardiola. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Forget Usain Bolt, some of the fastest athletes on the planet are strutting their stuff in the Premier League.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon