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

Copenhagen will aim to extend their winning start to the 2025-26 Danish Superliga season when they travel to face FC Fredericia on Friday evening.

The hosts have won one and lost one of their two league fixtures, while the visitors have won both of their opening two league games.

Match preview

Since their foundation in 1991, Fredericia have enjoyed considerable success, rising from the fourth tier to earning their first-ever promotion to the Danish Superliga after finishing second in the Danish First Division last season.

Under the guidance of long-term boss Michael Hansen, who has been in charge since August 2020, Fredericia have made an encouraging start to their debut campaign in the top flight.

Despite suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat to Nordsjaelland on matchday one, Fredericia displayed plenty of promising signs against an established top-half team, and that was followed by a 2-0 win over a Silkeborg team that have consistently challenged for top-half finishes over the past four seasons.

Fredericia are now set for their biggest challenge of the campaign thus far, as they will play host to record 16-time and reigning Danish Superliga champions Copenhagen on Friday.

While they will be hopeful of making the most of their home advantage against the reigning champions, Fredericia do have an expectedly unfavourable record in this fixture, having failed to win any of their four meetings - with one draw and three defeats.

Copenhagen are also in superb form heading into Friday's clash, having picked up where they left off last season as they have recorded four consecutive wins across all competitions to start the 2025-26 campaign.

The Lions, who lifted a record-extending 16th Danish Superliga title last term as they finished one point ahead of runners-up Midtjylland, have defeated Viborg and Vejle in their first two league fixtures this term, while they have also moved into the third qualifying round for the Champions League after beating Drita 3-0 on aggregate in the second round.

Those results mean Copenhagen are now undefeated in their last 16 matches across all competitions - a streak spanning back to a 4-2 loss to Midtjylland in April - leaving them with plenty of confidence coming into this meeting.

Jacob Neestrup, in charge since September 2022, will be eager to extend their winning start to the campaign ahead of their first leg meeting with the winner of Malmo versus RFS, with Copenhagen's sights set on returning to the Champions League after missing out last term.

Fredericia Danish Superliga form:

Copenhagen Danish Superliga form:

Copenhagen form (all competitions):

Team News

Following Fredericia's narrow 3-2 loss on the opening day, Hansen made limited changes for their second matchday, and after a 2-0 win, a similar team could be named here.

Gustav Marcussen was Fredericia's top scorer with 16 league goals last term, and the forward has picked up where he left off with two goals in two games this term, and he will be looked upon to make the difference once again here.

As for Copenhagen, Junnosuke Suzuki, Oliver Hojer, Runar Alex Runarsson and Viktor Claesson are all out of action due to injury issues, while Mohamed Elyounoussi is a doubt after coming off injured in their last outing.

Robert could come into the attack in Elyounoussi's absence, while Youssoufa Moukoko, Elias Achouri and Magnus Mattsson are expected to start in the remaining three attacking positions.

Further back the pitch, Thomas Delaney should partner Lukas Lerager at the base of midfield, while Gabriel Pereira and Pantelis Hatzidiakos are likely to continue their partnership at the heart of defence.

Fredericia possible starting lineup:

Ejeheri; Crone, Kudsk, Rieper, Jessen; Pyndt, Winther; Opondo, Simonsen, Marcussen; Egelund

Copenhagen possible starting lineup:

Kotarski; Huescas, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Lopez; Lerager, Delaney; Larsson, Mattsson, Achouri; Moukoko

We say: Fredericia 0-2 Copenhagen

Fredericia may have enjoyed an encouraging start to their debut Danish Superliga campaign, but Copenhagen are undoubtedly the stronger team and the reigning champions are expected to comfortably win this one.

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