Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Prediction: Denmark vs Finland

Tom Dunstan in Free Soccer Predictions 21 Mar 2023

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Verdict: Denmark win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Hoping to get their Group H adventure off to a flying start on Thursday night, Denmark will welcome Finland to Copenhagen.

Denmark

Starting with the hosts, suffering a World Cup nightmare out in Qatar over the winter, Denmark open their Europan qualifying campaign seeking a much-needed boost. Eventually failing to punch their knockout stage ticket in the Middle East and claiming just a single point from their three Group D appearances, Kasper Hjulmand’s men have shown a string of issues over the past nine months. Signing off their woeful World Cup adventure with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Australia, the Danes have won just a pair of their last seven matchups across all competitions – a run that stems back to June 6th. Likewise, missing out on the chance to secure a Nations League semi-final spot last year thanks to another 1-0 defeat at home against Croatia, Denmark will be desperate to get 2023 underway with a statement in Copenhagen.

Team News

Mustering eight La Liga strikes this season, Espanyol striker Martin Braithwaite should lead Denmark’s attack on Thursday night. 30-year-old Andreas Cornelius has not been included in Hjulmand’s squad after Denmark’s World Cup issues over the winter.

Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojberg could be joined in midfield by fellow Premier League star Christian Nørgaard. However, picking up a long-term injury issue back in September, Manchester United ace Christian Eriksen will not feature this month.

Finland

As for the visitors, although Finland might have claimed a welcomed 2-0 victory away at Montenegro last year, it appears that was just a minor boost for the Scandinavian strugglers. Failing to book their World Cup ticket over the winter, Markku Kanerva’s men also opened 2023 with a pair of downbeat displays. Including a worrying 1-0 loss at home against Estonia on January 12th, the Eagles-owls have recorded just a single win from any of their last eight appearances across all competitions. Although Finland might be tipped as a landside underdog when they make the trip to Copenhagen on Thursday night, Kanerva’s side should be boosted by their most recent meeting against the Danes. Picking up a shock 1-0 victory when they traveled to Denmark on European qualifying duties back in June 2021, the midweek guests will be desperate for a repeat display here.

Team News

Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara has been handed a recall to Kanerva’s squad this month. However, picking up a knock last month, Schalke defender Jere Uronen will miss out here.

Although Norwich striker Teemu Pukki might have entered the international break in the midst of an eight-match run without a goal, the 32-year-old should lead Finland’s attack on Thursday night.

Key Factors to Consider

    • When the two Scandinavian rivals last met back in June 2021, Finland picked up a shock 1-0 victory on foreign soil.
    • However, Thursday’s guests have recorded just a single win from any of their last eight appearances across all competitions.
    • Likewise, including their nightmare World Cup run over the winter, Denmark have recorded just a pair of wins from their last seven attempts.
    • Nevertheless, the Danes have lost just one of their last 15 European qualifiers on home soil – a run that stems all the way back to October 2007.
    • Finland have recorded just a single victory on foreign soil from their last six appearances across all competitions.

    Conclusion

    Although Denmark might have endured a rather public struggle out in Qatar over the winter, Thursday’s hosts should be smelling the chance to make an early qualifying statement here. While Finland might have claimed a famous 1-0 victory when they traveled to Copenhagen back in June 2021, the Eagles-owls will know that they face a tough test here. With the Danes remarkably losing just one of their last 15 qualifying showdowns on home soil, Hjulmand’s men will be desperate to avoid a potential banana skin here. Looking to make an early Group H statement, we are backing a home victory on Thursday night.

    Verdict: Denmark win 

    Best Odds: 4/11

    Bookmaker: Unibet

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Tom Dunstan


    Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
    Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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