Predicted Kilmarnock starting XI to face FC Copenhagen

Here's who we think will play from the start at the Parken Stadium in the Danish capital.

Today is the day - it’s Thursday, August 22 and we’re counting down the hours until Kilmarnock take on FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their Europa Conference league play-off.

Derek McInnes and his players arrived in the Danish capital last night and enjoyed a walk around the Parken Stadium to take in the surroundings at the stunning 38,000-capacity venue.

It’s going to be a tough ask. Copenhagen is the biggest team in Danish football, with by far the largest budget. They competed in the knockout rounds of the Champions League last season, so by all accounts, they are firm favourites heading into the tie.

Football isn’t played on paper though, and McInnes will prepare his team to deliver a resolute performance we know they’re all capable of.

The games against Cercle Brugge and Tromsø have led to this point. So, let’s take a look at our predicted team to set about the task in Denmark…

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Robby McCrorie dropped out in the cup defeat at Motherwell due to a slight injury concern. Kieran O’Hara may have deputised in any case in order to give the No.2 a run out. If McCrorie is fit, he’ll be back between the sticks though, as decent as O’Hara was.

At the back, it’ll switch between a back three, four and five at times as it always does depending on the point of the game and whether with or without the ball.

Oliver Bainbridge started and performed excellently in Norway, and I reckon he’s earned the manager’s trust to go again here. Considering he’s only made three senior appearances, all at Killie within the last couple of weeks, the 19-year-old hasn’t looked out of place. He will likely play alongside Stuart Findlay, Joe Wright and Lewis Mayo. It’s perhaps harsh on Robbie Deas, who is of course our player, but it’s just a hunch.