Danish experience versus Ukrainian audacity: prediction for the Polissya vs Copenhagen match — 23.07.2026
Polissya Zhytomyr
On Thursday, July 23, Košice will host the first leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round between Zhytomyr's Polissya and Copenhagen. Formally, the Ukrainian club is listed as the home side, but the match will be played on neutral ground — at the Košická futbalová aréna. The return fixture is scheduled for July 29 in Denmark.
- Also read: Prediction for the match Železničar Pančevo vs Braga: hosts aim to cause an upset - 22.07.2026.
Polissya: attacking preseason ends with two worrying defeats
Polissya continues to steadily strengthen its position in Ukrainian football. After finishing fifth and fourth in the previous two seasons, the Zhytomyr side wrapped up the 2025/26 Ukrainian Championship in third place and secured a Conference League berth for the third consecutive year.
Last season’s European campaign proved invaluable for Ruslan Rotan’s squad. Polissya got past Santa Coloma and Paksi before falling to Fiorentina in the playoff round. The Ukrainians lost 0-3 at home to the Italians, but in the return leg in Florence, they led 2-0 until the final ten minutes.
This summer, Polissya played eight friendlies. The team thrashed CSKA Sofia 4-0, Sabah 4-1, and Austrian side Wörgl 11-0, and also beat Tirol 2-1. However, the final stage of their preparation was less convincing: after a goalless draw with Jagiellonia, they suffered defeats against Shimizu S-Pulse (1-3) and Viktoria Plzeň (0-2).
Leandro Andrade, formerly of Qarabag, has joined the attacking line-up. He is expected to fill the void left by Oleksiy Hutsulyak, who notched up 21 goals and 11 assists during his time at the club. Other key players remain: Heorhiy Bushchan, Eduard Sarapiy, Serhiy Chobotenko, Ruslan Babenko, Lyndon Emerllahu, and Ihor Krasnopyr.
Copenhagen: new coach and a much deeper squad
Copenhagen’s domestic campaign was anything but smooth last season, but the team still managed to secure European football. In a decisive playoff, Bo Svensson’s men defeated Brøndby 3-1 in extra time, with Youssoufa Moukoko bagging a brace.
During the summer, the Danes played four notable friendlies: they beat Mjällby 5-3, drew 1-1 with Viktoria Plzeň, and overcame Horsens 3-2 and Viborg 2-1. Both teams found the net in every game, but in the last match, Copenhagen dominated for long stretches and could have won by a bigger margin.
Before the start of their European campaign, the squad was bolstered by Alex Král. The Czech international midfielder has already been registered with UEFA, joining Thomas Delaney, Mads Emil Madsen, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Moukoko, Elias Achouri, and Andreas Cornelius.
However, the Danes do have some personnel issues. Central defender Zanka suffered a serious ligament injury and will be out for several months. Cornelius took a blow to the head in the friendly against Viborg and was substituted in the ninth minute — as of press time, the club has not released a final update on his condition.
Probable lineups
- Polissya: Bushchan — Mykhailychenko, Sarapiy, Chobotenko, Krushynskyi — Andrade, Emerllahu, Babenko — Veletin, Fedor, Krasnopyr.
- Copenhagen: Kovačević — Beijmo, Gabriel Pereira, Garananga, Marcos Lopez — Delaney, Madsen — Robert, Elyounoussi, Achouri — Moukoko.
Polissya’s expected lineup is almost identical to the one that started against Viktoria Plzeň, while Copenhagen’s selection is based on their latest friendly and official UEFA squad list.
Pre-match facts
- Polissya lost their last two friendlies by an aggregate score of 1-5.
- Copenhagen went unbeaten in all four summer friendlies, scoring at least twice in three of them.
- Both teams scored in each of Copenhagen’s last four friendlies.
- Polissya and Copenhagen have never met in official competitions before.
Neutral ground and squad depth favor the favorite: prediction for Polissya vs Copenhagen
Polissya can put up a fight with intensity, high pressing, and rapid flank attacks. Rotan’s men have already gained some European experience, and Bushchan, Sarapiy, and Babenko are expected to provide much-needed composure at the back and in midfield.
However, the "home" status is largely nominal here. The match takes place in Košice, over 700 kilometers from Zhytomyr, so the Ukrainian side won’t enjoy their usual home advantage.
Copenhagen boasts more quality options in nearly every area. Even with several defenders missing, Svensson can call on Gabriel Pereira, Garananga, Beijmo, Suzuki, and Marcos Lopez. Up front, the Danes have Moukoko, Elyounoussi, Achouri, and Robert — players capable of making a difference on their own.
The first leg might be cagey, but as the game progresses, the visitors’ deeper bench and greater European pedigree should tip the scales in their favor.
Prediction: Copenhagen win.
