Preview: Copenhagen vs Basel - prediction, team news, lineups

All square after last week's first leg in Switzerland, Copenhagen and Basel will reconvene on Wednesday, when they conclude their Champions League playoff at Parken.

Both sides completed a domestic double last season, and now they are one step away from entering the league phase of Europe's top tournament.

Match preview

Though they fell behind early on, as Basel's veteran skipper Xherdan Shaqiri converted a penalty 14 minutes into the first leg, Copenhagen fought back for a 1-1 draw at St Jakob-Park last Wednesday.

Gabriel Pereira's back-post header pulled the Danish champions level just before half time, before their hosts went down to 10 men late in the second half.

Now unbeaten in 10 consecutive away games, FCK have already negotiated two qualifying rounds - eliminating Drita and then Nordic neighbours Malmo - and are closing in on a seat at Europe's top table.

Jacob Neestrup’s men returned to domestic action at the weekend, only drawing 1-1 at home to OB, but a tally of four wins from six still has them top of the Danish Superliga table.

With their latest title defence progressing steadily, Copenhagen can fully concentrate on the Champions League, where one more win would seal a place in Thursday's main draw.

While their opponents entered in round two, Basel's qualifying campaign only kicked off last week, and their failure to win on home turf could prove costly.

Once a dominant force in the Swiss Super League, the RotBlau lost their grip after clinching a 20th title in 2017, and last year's triumph - led by returning hero Shaqiri - finally ended an eight-year drought.

That success also booked their return to the Champions League preliminaries, with new manager Ludovic Magnin expected to deliver a place in the league phase.

Not only have they competed in UEFA competition for 25 consecutive seasons, Basel have also played in the Champions League proper more times than any other Swiss club - but they must now produce a win at Parken to up that tally to eight.

One advantage they hold over Copenhagen will be almost a whole week of preparation, as Magnin's men were afforded a break from domestic duties last weekend.

Copenhagen Champions League form: W W D W D

Copenhagen form (all competitions): D L W W D D

Basel Champions League form: D

Basel form (all competitions): L W W L W D

Team News

Once again, Copenhagen will be without Tunisian winger Elias Achour and key midfielder Thomas Delaney, with both players still sidelined by injury.

Nonetheless, the hosts do have a goal-getting central defender, as Gabriel Pereira took his tally to two in two games with a late equaliser against OB on Saturday.

Former wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko started up front in that game, but ex-Parma striker Andreas Cornelius should regain his place in midweek.

Meanwhile, Basel recently lost their star forward Kevin Carlos, who joined Nice, so Albian Ajeti is set to lead the line in Denmark. Philip Otele and captain Xherdan Shaqiri should feature in the latter's supporting cast.

Following his red card last week, Ghana international Jonas Adjei Adjetey must serve a suspension, while fellow defenders Finn van Breemen and Kevin Ruegg are both ruled out by injury.

Copenhagen possible starting lineup: Kotarski; Huescas, Hatzidiakos, Pereira, Meling; Lerager, Mattsson; Larsson, Elyounoussi, Claesson; Cornelius

Basel possible starting lineup: Hitz; Tsunemoto, Vouilloz, Barisic, Schmid; Leroy, Metinho; Otele, Shaqiri, Traore; Ajeti

We say: Copenhagen 3-1 Basel (Copenhagen win 4-2 on aggregate)

As Copenhagen have won both of their home ties so far - including a 5-0 smashing of local rivals Malmo - they should prevail in this high-stakes playoff.

Having failed to keep a single sheet this term, Basel are bound for defeat and a consolation place in the Europa League.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.