Spain will host Denmark in their UEFA Nations League tie at Estadio Nueva Condomina, looking to leafrog the visitors to the top of Group D.
Spain are coming into the UEFA Nations League game against Denmark on the back of a comprehensive victory over Switzerland, and the UEFA Euro 2024 winners will be confident of grinding out a good result this weekend.
Meanwhile, Denmark are coming into this contest on the back of impressive victories over Serbia and Switzerland as well. They will look to make life difficult for the home team, and this should be a close contest. However, the hosts have a better set of players at their disposal, and they will be expected to grind out all three points here.
Spain have an impressive record against Denmark, and the fans will expect the players to step up and get the job done. The last time these two sides met, Spain picked up a 3-0 win in an international friendly. It will be interesting to see if they can grind out a similar result here.
Team News & Tactics
Spain
The home team will be without the services of Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who will return next year. Meanwhile, Nico Williams and Dani Carvajal are ruled out with injury blows as well.
Spain will shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with David Raya in goal. Pedro Porro and Alejandro Grimaldo will start as the full-backs. They will look to create goalscoring opportunities from the wide areas and protect the central defenders as well. Pau Cubarsi will start alongside Aymeric Laporte at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Martin Zubimendi will be deployed in the anchor role, and he will look to break up opposition attacks and control the tempo of the game. The likes of Fabian Ruiz and Pedri will add creativity and control to the side. Alvaro Morata will lead the line for Spain against Denmark, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Lamine Yamal on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Grimaldo; Pedri, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Oyarzabal
Denmark
Denmark have some issues with squad selection heading into the upcoming UEFA Nations League clash with Spain. Joachim Andersen, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Christian Norgaard, and Morten Frendrup have pulled out of the group this week.
The away side will shape up in a 3-4-1-2 formation against Spain, with Kasper Schmeichel in goal. The absence of Andersen and Andreas Christensen means Asger Sorensen will make his debut for Denmark this weekend against Spain, lining up alongside Victor Nelsson and Jannik Vestergaard in the back three.
Alexander Bah and Joakim Maehle will start as the wing-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. They will look to protect the central defenders and help out during transitions.
As for the midfield unit, Morten Hjulmand will start in central midfield alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. They will look to keep things compact in the middle and control the tempo of the game.
Christian Eriksen will start as the central attacking midfielder, and he will look to create opportunities in the final third with his passing and vision. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line for Denmark alongside Jonas Wind.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Vestergaard; Bah, Hjulmand, Hojbjerg, Maehle; Eriksen; Hojlund, Wind
Key Stats
- Spain have won their last five matches against Denmark in all competitions.
- Spain have scored at least two goals in their last five matches against Denmark in all competitions.
- Spain have seen over 2.5 goals in their last three matches against Denmark in all competitions.
- 18 goals have been scored in the last five meetings between these two teams.
- Three of the last five matches between these two teams have seen both sides kept on the score sheet.
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal
The talented young winger has been exceptional since breaking into the first-team scene at Barcelona and for his country. The teenage sensation could cause some problems for the Denmark defence with his pace, flair and creativity. He will look to add to his international goal tally and create opportunities for his teammates as well. He is our key to watch out for.
Prediction
Spain 3-1 Denmark
Spain are the better team on paper, and they will be full of confidence after their impressive performances in the European Championships. La Roja will be confident of grinding out a good result, here and they will be the firm favourites at home as well.
Denmark are no pushovers, and they will look to put up a fight here and make life difficult for the opposition. But they are likely to fall short eventually. A comfortable 3-1 win for the home side is on the cards.