Denmark will host Spain at Parken in a UEFA Nations League clash on Friday, and it should be a cracking contest between two teams needing a win to reach the next stage.
Denmark are currently on top of the UEFA Nations League A Group 4, and they are three points clear of opponents, Spain. They will look to secure qualification from the group with a victory here.
Meanwhile, the European champions are currently second in the league table with seven points, and a win here could help them secure a first-place finish and get closer to qualification as well. La Roja managed to pick up a win over Denmark recently, and it will be interesting to see if they can get another positive result against tomorrow’s opposition.
Both teams are capable of grinding out a result here, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. On paper, Spain are certainly the better team, and they will be expected to grind out all three points. It remains to be seen whether the players can step up and deliver.
Team News & Tactics
Denmark
The home team do not have any notable absentees through injuries here, and Brian Riemer should be able to field a full-strength lineup. Denmark are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation against Spain, with Kasper Schmeichel in goal.
In the back, Victor Nelsson will start alongside Jannik Vestergaard and Joachim Andersen. Alexander Bah and Patrick Dorgu will start as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
As for the midfield unit, Morten Hjulmand will add defensive cover to the side, and he will look to break down the opposition attacks alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who will add composure and control to the side.
Christian Eriksen will start alongside Albert Gronbaek in the attacking midfield roles, and they will look to create opportunities in the final third and open up the Spanish defence. Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line for Denmark here.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Schmeichel; Nelsson, Vestergaard, Andersen; Bah, Hjulmand, Hojbjerg, Dorgu; Eriksen, Gronbaek; Hojlund
Spain
Lamine Yamal and Pau Torres have withdrawn from the Spanish squad due to injuries, and they will be unavailable here. Spain will set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Denmark, with David Raya in goal.
Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things compact at the back and create goalscoring opportunities for their teammates from the wide areas. Dani Vivian and Aymeric Laporte will start in central the defensive pairing for the European champions.
As for the midfield unit, Fabian Ruiz will start alongside Martin Zubimendi in the double pivot. They will look to add creativity, composure, and control to the side. Pedri will start in the attacking midfield role, and he will look to open up goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.
Dani Olmo and Nico Williams will add creativity and goals from the wide areas. Finally, captain Alvaro Morata will lead the line for Spain against Denmark at Parken on Friday night.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Porro, Vivian, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Zubimendi; Olmo, Pedri, Williams; Morata
Key Stats
- Spain have won their last six matches against Denmark in all competitions.
- Spain have scored at least three goals in their last three away matches against Denmark in all competitions.
- Denmark have seen over 2.5 goals in their last three home matches against Spain in all competitions.
- Spain have kept a clean sheet against Denmark in the last two meetings.
- 19 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two teams.
Player to Watch
Dani Olmo
The 26-year-old Barcelona midfielder is our key player to watch out for. The Barcelona playmaker has been in impressive form over the last few months, and he was outstanding for Spain in the European Championships this past summer.
He has done quite well for Barcelona in La Liga despite his fitness issues. Olmo will look to create goalscoring opportunities in the final third with his passing and vision. Spain will look to him to open up the Denmark defence with his creativity. The 26-year-old will look to add to his goalscoring tally as well.
Prediction
Denmark 1-2 Spain
Both teams will be desperate for a win here, and they certainly have the capability of grinding out a good result. This is likely to be a close contest, and Spain will have to work hard in order to grind out all three points.
Denmark will look to make life difficult for the opposition at home. However, the visitors have enough cutting edge in the final third to edge this one. A narrow for Spain is on the cards. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for Luis de la Fuente and his charges.
