Denmark vs Scotland
Everybody’s favourite European nation, Denmark, is back in action on Wednesday in a World Cup 2022 qualifier against an improving but injury-troubled Scotland.
Nobody will forget Denmark’s heroic performances at Euro 2020 following the dramatic collapse and remarkable recovery of Christian Eriksen, and now, whenever they play the Danes have a new group of fans, worldwide. That is no concern of their opponents though; the Scots know full well they face a top-class outfit and will be fully focussed on the task in hand.
This World Cup qualifying matchup brings together the two top teams in Group F, but the Danes have a four-point lead over their rivals. Kasper Hjulmand’s Denmark lead the qualifying group on nine points, with Scotland in second, on five, and Israel and Austria a point behind.
After leading his nation to a first major final tournament this century, Scotland manager Steve Clarke has signed a contract extension and he has a talented squad of players to work with. But he’ll be missing three key players, and Denmark are hot favourites here at SBOTOP to win this qualifier at odds of 1.40.
Talking Points
Denmark even stronger after incredible Euro journey
Head coach Hjulmand knows he can trust this Denmark team, the physical strength and mental fortitude is second to none, and as a group of team-mates they have been through more than any other in modern times.
The medical team which saved Eriksen’s life will be awarded the 2021 UEFA President’s Award, along with Denmark’s inspirational captain Simon Kjaer. Had Denmark reached the Euro 2020 final, the Milan centre-back was a good bet for Player of the Tournament as he emerged as the strongest leader and one of the best defenders in the tournament.
There’s more good news for Eriksen as Inter Milan have reported their player is in excellent physical and mental shape, but it is too early to say when he will be able to take to the pitch again.
That will be a moment.
In the meantime the Danes have won all three of their qualifiers so far, scoring 14 unanswered goals. They hammered Austria 4-0 last time out and, should they make the finals as fully expected, the World Cup 2022 betting odds will pitch them as dark horses with a good chance of going deep into the competition in Qatar.
Alongside Kjaer, Denmark has a team packed with leaders. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, with 71 caps, is one of the best stoppers in the Premier League while there is plenty of quality in midfield, with Valencia’s Daniel Wass, Sevilla’s Thomas Delaney and Spurs’ Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg all in their prime.
Up front the experience of Yussuf Poulsen and Martin Braithwaite is a great help to the young guns, 23-year-old Kasper Dolberg and Sampdoria’s 21-year-old sensation Mikkel Damsgaard, who will both be pushing for a start. The youngsters have scored two goals each in qualifiers so far and impressed at Euro 2020.
Robertson boost for Scotland
The Scots will be without a number of key players but the big news emerging from the Premier League this week was the return to fitness of Liverpool wing-back and Scotland skipper Andrew Robertson.
After missing the Reds’ two opening games he played in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea and he looked back to his best as a solid defender and serious attacking threat with his raids down the flank.
But Clarke is without three other big players. Aston Villa’s John McGinn has tested positive for COVID-19 and he’s a big miss, as the nation’s top scorer with three goals so far in the competition.
Southampton striker Stuart Armstrong and Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay are also sidelined, and that could mean Armstrong’s club-mate Che Adams will start up front, while Celtic’s Callum McGregor should get the nod in midfield.
Clarke will look to Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and Celtic’s Ryan Christie to provide some creative spark while 20-year-old Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour, out on loan at Norwich City, is also in line for a start.
But it is the Scots’ centre back pairing of Liam Cooper and Grant Hanley who can expect a busy night.
History
Denmark were World Cup quarter-finalists in 1998, European Champions in 1992 and reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, while Scotland have never made it past the group stage of any major competition.
But the underdogs have booked their place at World Cup finals eight times, and they do have the upper hand in the head to heads; Scotland have won five of the previous eight meetings and lost three.
Betting Tip
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Denmark vs Scotland | Denmark First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.08 |
| September 2, 02:45 (GMT+8) |
With the draw at odds of 4.07 and Scotland at 5.60, it’s hard to make a case for anything other than a home win, and I expect Denmark’s World Cup 2022 results to stay at 100 per cent.
Scotland’s stout defence isn’t blessed with pace and Denmark’s young guns could well give them an early roasting.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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