Here’s our FC Copenhagen Vs Hearts preview, prediction, team news and predicted lineups ahead of Thursday’s Conference League fixture.
FC Copenhagen Vs Hearts Preview
Copenhagen missed out on last year’s Danish title by four points, but have made a strong start to the campaign this time around.
Currently top of the table on goal difference, they have lost only two of their 17 league fixtures.
Things haven’t gone so well in Europe, though. An opening-round loss to Jagiellonia Bialystok was followed by draws against both Real Betis (1-1) and Istanbul Basaksehir (2-2).
They beat Dinamo Minsk 2-1 last time out to climb into the playoff places, but need another win to move further up the table.
Unbeaten in their last 12 in all competitions, Jacob Neestrup’s side will hope home advantage benefits them against Hearts.
Thursday’s visitors have also struggled at times this season. Having returned to the Scottish Premiership in 2021, the Edinburgh outfit have often been best-of-the-rest outside of Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers.
But an awful run that saw them win none of their first ten games in all competitions has left them playing catchup.
In Europe, they started well to beat Omonia Nicosia and Dinamo Minsk, but lost to Cercle Brugge and FC Heidenheim.
A 1-1 draw with Aberdeen was followed by beating Dundee 2-0 in recent fixtures, suggesting Neil Critchley’s side are beginning to regain their form.
But with Hearts 17th in the Conference League and just a point above Copenhagen, they too need a result in midweek to boost their knockout credentials.
โน๏ธ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง- ๐ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ง (๐)
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) December 11, 2024
FC Copenhagen Vs Hearts Team News
Both Elias Achouri and Nicolai Boilesen are doubts for Copenhagen and will face late assessments. Star man Roony Bardghji is out, along withย Giorgi Gocholeishvili and Rasmus Falk.
Aside from those mentioned, Copenhagen are likely to stick with the team has has kept them unbeaten for a dozen games.
Hearts will be missing midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof, though the Australian is close to a return. Stephen Kingsley and Gerard Taylor are both out until the new year.
Like Copenhagen, recent results could see Hearts opt for consistency in their selection. Lawrence Shankland has led the line for the Scottish side superbly for the past couple of years, but will be hoping to add to his rather poor tally of three goals so far this campaign.
FC Copenhagen Vs Hearts Predicted Lineups
FC Copenhagen: Sander; Huescas, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Diks; Elyounoussi, Lerager, Delaney, Robert; Claesson, Cornelius
Hearts: Gordon; Oyegoke, Halkett, Rowles, Penrice; Devlin, Boateng; Grant, Shankland, Spittal; Wilson
FC Copenhagen VS Hearts Prediction
With both sides representing their nation’s capitals, there is plenty of expectation on each team. But the form guide suggests that Copenhagen should have enough to win this one, especially on home soil.
Prediction: FC Copenhagen 3-1 Hearts
