To Win Match
Denmark 9/20
Draw 3/1
Finland 6/1
Denmark
The Danes’ strength lies in defence where goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, now 34 years old, has amassed enough experience at club level as well as the international scene to be considered a veteran and integral part of the team.
Leicester City’s goalkeeper has been consistent and reliable in between the sticks, memorably saving Luka Modric’s 116th-minute penalty against Croatia in the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Denmark was cruelly dumped out 3-2 in the shootout despite Schmeichel’s heroics that saw him save another two attempts in his best display of the tournament.
The backline is comprised of Southampton’s 1.99 metres tall centre-back Jannik Vestergaard, Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen who made 27 appearances for the Blues across all competitions, particularly impressive since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival.
Simon Kjaer helped AC Milan to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in six seasons, with 12 clean sheets in 28 Serie A starts for the Rossoneri. While Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Delaney and Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are expected to form a tireless double-pivot in central midfield that will allow talisman Christian Eriksen to create goalscoring chances for the strike force.
Jonas Wind, Andreas Cornelius, Kasper Dolberg and Barcelona’s Martin Braithwaite have been selected to bang in the goals, but I strongly believe that RB Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen is a class above the rest compared to his peers. The towering forward is excellent in aerial duels and is blessed with speed that could tear the Finland defence to shreds.
Finland
It’s no surprise that Finland is expected to be Group B’s whipping boys. The Eagle Owls are priced at 5/2 to qualify against Denmark, Russia and Belgium, which is highly unlikely seeing as they’re winless in six games, including three defeats on the bounce against Switzerland, Sweden and Estonia prior to the tournament.
Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky will have his hands full in all three group games with fellow Bundesliga compatriot Augsburg forward Fredrik Jensen expected to link up with Norwich City’s Teemu Pukki and Brentford youngster Marcus Forss, who featured in 50 appearances for the Bees in a very successful campaign.
Minnesota United midfielder Robin Lod and Scottish league winner with Rangers, Glen Kamara, will have their work cut out when they encounter the dynamism of Eriksen and company.
Prediction: Denmark – Home To Win To Nil (1/1)
