Copenhagen will get their Danish Superliga title defence underway on Friday as they face Viborg FF in the opening fixture of the 2025-26 season.

The Lions claimed their record-extending 16th league triumph last term, while the Greens secured an eighth-placed finish for the second consecutive campaign.

Match preview

Copenhagen are heading into the 2025-26 campaign aiming to retain their Danish Superliga crown for the second consecutive year and achieve a record-extending 17th triumph overall.

The Lions had lifted the title in 2021-22 and 2022-23 before dropping to third in 2023-24, but they managed to dramatically reclaim their status as champions last term.

Jacob Neestrup's side placed second at the end of the pre-split campaign, trailing league leaders and reigning champions FC Midtjylland by four points, but an impressive post-split surge saw Copenhagen overtake their rivals.

The Lions won seven, drew one and lost two of their 10 fixtures, while Midtjylland won five, drew two and lost three, meaning Copenhagen edged out their title rivals by a single point with a total of 63.

Following their Danish Superliga victory, Copenhagen also added the Oddset Pokalen to their trophy cabinet with a 3-0 win over Silkeborg in the final - further reinforcing their dominance in domestic competition. 

Now heading into the opening match of the 2025-26 season, Neestrup will be looking for his side to get off to a winning start as Copenhagen aim to defend their trophies, and they have plenty of reason to be confident. 

Copenhagen are undefeated in their last 12 matches across all competitions, while their hosts, Viborg, have managed only four wins, four draws and four defeats in their last 10 games - with two of those victories coming in pre-season outings. 

The Greens will be hoping to begin their campaign with a confidence and momentum building victory over the champions, especially as Viborg look to return to the top half of the table for the first time since placing fourth in 2022-23. 

Viborg have fallen to consecutive eighth-placed finishes in the following two seasons, with 40 points from 32 outings in 2023-24 and 47 points from 32 games in 2024-25. 

The Greens are enduring a period of uncertainty heading into Friday's fixture, though, as former manager Jakob Poulsen left in June to join AFG, and Viborg are yet to appoint his permanent successor. 

Viborg FF form (all competitions):

W L W L W W 

Copenhagen form (all competitions):

W W W D D W

Team News

Viborg will be without the services of Oliver Bundgaard Kristensen due to a cruciate ligament injury, while Zan Zalatel is also a doubt having been ruled out with a cruciate ligament injury since August 2024. 

Last term's top scorer, Isak Steiner Jensen, has left the club in the summer transfer window, meaning a front three of Yonis Njoh, Dorian Hanza and Charly Horneman could start.

As for Copenhagen, Runar Alex Runarsson and Andreas Cornelius are both doubts to feature in the season opener due to injury concerns. 

Neestrup named an extremely strong team in their final pre-season friendly against Hamburger SV - which Copenhagen won 1-0 - and a similar team is likely to be named here. 

Jordan Larsson scored the only goal in that game, and the winger should start alongside Elias Achouri, Mohamed Elyounoussi and new signing Youssoufa Moukoko in attack. 

Viborg FF possible starting lineup:

Hedvall; Bidstrup, Anyembe, Nasberg, Kuzmic; Vester, Sondergaard, Jorgensen; Njoh, Hanza, Horneman

Copenhagen possible starting lineup:

Kotarski; Huescas, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Lopez; Larsson, Delaney, Froholdt, Achouri; Elyounoussi, Moukoko

We say: Viborg FF 1-3 Copenhagen

Copenhagen have strengthened well in the summer transfer window as they aim to retain their title, while Viborg are heading into this match without a permanent manager at the helm. 

While results between these two have been split in recent meetings, given Viborg's managerless status and the strength of the visitors, we expect a comfortable away win.

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

Written by
Ellis Stevens

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