Denmark are all set to host Switzerland at Parksen as they look to kick-start their UEFA Nations League campaign this week.
Denmark and Switzerland both made it to the knockout phase of Euro 2024, and now they will be eager to go a long way in the Nations League. Both teams will square up against each other in Copenhagen and will be hoping to secure all three points in this League A Group 4.
While the home team did make it to the round of 16 at Euro 2024, they did not win a single game in the tournament. They finished second in Group C behind England with three draws to their name before getting knocked out at the hands of hosts Germany.
Kasper Hjulmand, who had done wonders for the Danish national team, decided to stand down following their exit, and they will be led by a caretaker team for their fixtures against Switzerland and Serbia. The home side will be seeking their first win in five matches as they return to Parken Stadion.
Switzerland won once and drew twice in the group stage of Euro 2024 to finish second behind Germany in Group A. They pulled off an upset against Italy in the round of 16 before getting knocked out by eventual finalists England that, too on penalties.
The visitors cannot really afford a slip-up here as their group also consists of the recently crowned European champions Spain. Murat Yakin has done a great job as their manager, and he will be hoping to make the ideal start to their Nations League campaign with a win. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Denmark
Matt O’Riley has been ruled out following a serious injury on his Brighton & Hove Albion debut. Maurits Kjaergaard was called up as a replacement but he withdrew and interim boss Lars Knudsen decided to add Mathias Jensen to his squad. Andreas Christensen and Rasmus Hojlund are also unavailable for this round of fixtures.
The home team will line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Kasper Schmeichel in goal. Jannik Vestergaard will start alongside Victor Nelsson and Joachim Andersen in the heart of the defence. The back three will receive support from Alexander Bah and Patrick Dorgu, who will feature as the wing-backs.
In the centre of the park, Morten Hjulmand and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will look to control the tempo of the game. Christian Eriksen and Andreas Skov Olsen will feature a touch further up the pitch as the two attacking midfielders. The duo will look to create chances for Jonas Wind, who will lead the line for Denmark against Switzerland.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Schmeichel; Vestergaard, Nelsson, Andersen; Bah, Hjulmand, Hojbjerg, Dorgu; Eriksen, Skov Olsen; Wind
Switzerland
The visitors will be without veteran shot-stopper Yann Sommer, who has announced his retirement. Xherdan Shaqiri has also decided to call it a day for his international career. Meanwhile, Newcastle United centre-back Fabian Schar has decided to solely focus on his club career.
Apart from the trio, it is a familiar-looking squad for Switzerland. They will also line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, where Gregor Kobel will now take charge in goal. In the heart of the defence, Manuel Akanji will start alongside Nico Elvedi and Ricardo Rodríguez. Dan Ndoye and Michel Aebischer will feature as the wing-back for the away team.
Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler will start in the centre of the park. The duo will look to control the tempo and ensure they dominate the ball. Ruben Vargas and Noah Okafor will feature in a creative role behind striker Breel Embolo, who will spearhead the Swiss attack against Denmark.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Ndoye, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Vargas, Okafor; Embolo
Key Stats
- Denmark have been winless in their last four outings heading into this fixture against Switzerland on Thursday evening.
- Kasper Hjulmand, who stood down after Denmark’s exit from Euro 2024, had an impressive record as their manager (33 win in 55 matches).
- Apart from the penalty shootout exit at the hands of England, Switzerland have only lost once since the end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
- The visitors have two wins in their last five outings.
- Switzerland were on an eight-match unbeaten run before losing to England in the quarter-finals of the Euro.
Player to Watch
Granit Xhaka
Since joining Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023, Xhaka has only gone from strength to strength. At the age of 31, the defensive midfielder seems to be at the pick of his powers and he could end up having a huge say on the result on this fixture.
Having already made a strong start to the new season with a goal to his name for Bayer Leverkusen, the former Arsenal captain will be eager to get Switzerland all three points in this fixture against Denmark.
Prediction
Denmark 1-2 Switzerland
There is not really much difference between the two teams, and they are expected to have a very closely fought encounter. But given the kind of run Switzerland have had in the recent past and the fact that they made it to the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2024 by defeating Italy suggests they could come out on top here. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the away team.
