Preview: Vejle vs. Copenhagen - prediction, team news, lineups

Copenhagen made it back-to-back titles last season, while Vejle bounced straight back up after relegation in 2021-22.

Match preview

This will be Vejle's first home game back in the top flight, and they could not have asked for a tougher challenge.

The reigning champions will provide a stern test to what has not been the happiest return to the Superliga for Vejle.

They kicked off their campaign with a defeat at Aarhus last weekend, with Tobias Bech's solitary goal condemning Ivan Prelec's men to an opening day defeat.

Pre-season results hinted towards a struggling start, as the side were thrashed by second division sides Kolding and Vendsyssel shortly before the opening weekend.

The main target will be to avoid relegation and to improve on a poor season in 2021-22, which saw them pick up just 29 points from 32 matches, resulting in the drop.

Copenhagen are not the ideal opponents though, considering Vejle have not beaten them home or away in any competition since 2000.

That will give added confidence to a Copenhagen side who have made a perfect start to the campaign.

The champions began the domestic season with a 2-1 win over Lyngby last weekend, but they were given a late scare by Iceland's 2018 World Cup star Alfred Finnbogason.

Copenhagen would also go on to beat Finnbogason's former club Breidablik in Champions League qualifying in midweek.

What appeared a routine 2-0 win was anything but, as it was a very close encounter, but Jacob Neestrup's side will be huge favourites to progress ahead of the second leg at home next week.

A repeat of last season, which saw Copenhagen retain their title and reach the Champions League group stage, will be on the agenda again, and the foundations are in place for them to repeat the feat.

The club from the capital held off a late challenge from Nordsjaelland to win the title on the penultimate weekend last season, but it was their unbeaten home record in Europe which was most memorable.

Copenhagen held eventual champions Manchester City, Europa League winner Sevilla, and Borussia Dortmund to draws at Parken in last season's group stage.

Vejle Danish Superliga form:

L

Copenhagen Danish Superliga form:

W

Copenhagen form (all competitions):

W

W

Team News

Musa Juwara has arrived at Vejle from Bologna and could be the attacking presence that gives his side firepower on the break.

The Gambian broke onto the scene in 2019-20 and showed great promise, but he has slightly lost his way since, so he will hope this move can get him back on track.

Gilli Sorensen is another new addition, joining from TB in the Faroe Islands, and he made his debut at right wing-back last weekend.

On the opposite flank, Miiko Albornoz was one of Vejle's key men last season, as the ex-Hannover man recorded 14 league assists to help them to the title.

Their only absentee will be Tobias Lauritsen, who is suspended after his red card against Aarhus last week.

Copenhagen will remain without defender Davit Khocholava as the Georgian remains out with the injury that saw him miss the final two months of last season.

Khouma Babacar's injury frustrations continue too, as the 30-year-old remains sidelined after playing just three games last season.

Neestrup went largely full strength for the tie with Breidablik in midweek, but he did give a start to promising youngster Roony Bardghji.

Vejle possible starting lineup:

Trott; Kolinger, Albentosa, Provstgaard; Sorensen, Busuladzic, Ofori, Albornoz; Kirkegaard, Onugkha, Juwara

Copenhagen possible starting lineup:

Grabara; Jelert, Vavro, Lund, Diks; Lerager, Clem, Falk; Larsson, Cornelius, Diogo Goncalves

We say: Vejle 0-3 Copenhagen

Copenhagen should continue their strong early form with a win over a Vejle side who have never enjoyed much success over them.

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