Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Danish Superliga clash between Copenhagen and Aarhus, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Copenhagen play host to Aarhus on Sunday looking to build on their winning start to the new Danish Superliga campaign.
Meanwhile, the visitors will attempt to get their first victory on the board after registering an impressive point on matchday one.
Match preview
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After the disappointment of ending last season with a domestic trophy, Copenhagen are motivated to put matters right in 2024-25.
Finishing third and just four points adrift of champions Midtjylland was a difficult one to take, Copenhagen collecting just four points from their final four games.
The disappointment is now out of their system, though, with Jacob Neestrup‘s side beginning the new campaign with a 2-0 success at Lyngby.
That was followed by a routine 3-0 success away at Gibraltar outfit Magpies in the first leg of their Europa Conference League second qualifying round fixture earlier this week.
Neestrup will need to find a balancing act over the coming weeks with group-stage football on the continent a necessity, yet the immediate focus will be on making it back-to-back wins on the domestic front.
Nevertheless, Aarhus ended the 2023-24 campaign in positive campaign, one of their two victories coming against Sunday’s opposition.
The other came versus second-placed Brondby, and Uwe Rosler saw more strong signs from his team as they drew 1-1 with champions FC Midtjylland in their opening game of this season.
Although Aarhus held a half-time lead, Rosler will have few complaints with earning a share of the spoils against a team of Midtjylland’s quality.
A trip to Copenhagen is a harsh follow-up game, yet AGF have an opportunity to make a statement as they bid to return to the top three of the Danish Superliga. after last year’s fifth-placed finish.
Copenhagen Danish Superliga form:
Copenhagen form (all competitions):
Aarhus Danish Superliga form:
Team News
Neestrup freshened up his Copenhagen XI with several changes for the European encounter on Thursday, Victor Froholdt taking advantage with a goal from the flank.
However, Neestrup may wish to revert back to the team from the Lyngby match in the knowledge that he can afford to make mass changes for the reverse fixture against Magpies.
Mohamed Elyounoussi has netted in both fixtures thus far, while Orri Oskarsson should retain his spot down the middle of the attack.
Having battled valiantly to earn a point against Midtjylland, the Aarhus starting lineup could stay the same for this contest.
Rosler waited until the 74th minute to make any changes in that game, naturally to provide some fresh legs at this stage of the season.
Copenhagen possible starting lineup:
Trott; Huecas, Diks, Garananga, Meling; Claesson, Falk, Goncalves; Larsson, Oskarsson, Elyounoussi
Aarhus possible starting lineup:
Hansen; Dalsgaard, Jensen-Abbew, Tingager; Beijmo, Madsen, Anderson, Poulsen, Links; Bech, Mortensen
We say: Copenhagen 2-1 Aarhus
While it is difficult to assess teams from just one match, all the signs are there that Copenhagen could be pushed in this contest. Aarhus will be buoyed by their performance last weekend, yet we are still backing the home side to come through for a hard-earned three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.