Prediction: Denmark vs Ireland

Verdict: Denmark win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

With their promotion already secured, Denmark will look to end their inaugural UEFA Nations League campaign with another victory on Monday night.

Denmark

Starting with the hosts, since a penalties defeat to eventual finalists Croatia ended Denmark’s World Cup run over the summer, Åge Hareide’s side have enjoyed a very bright UEFA Nations League campaign. Unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions and winning three of those outings, the Danes have already booked their spot in League A next time around and they still have one group game in hand. Picking up a pair of impressive wins both home and away against Wales, Denmark also hold a very impressive record at Ceres Park. Monday’s hosts are yet to be beaten on home soil in their last five matches, they have also now not conceded a home goal since the 15th of January. Along with keeping an eye on Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen, Hareide could be looking for Middlesbrough winger Martin Braithwaite to carry on his impressive run of form. Scoring against Wales last week, the 27-year-old has now scored two in his last two while on International duty.

Team News

Denmark will be without Kasper Schmeichel and Thomas Delaney are unavailable for the game due to suspension so Hareide has called up David Jensen and Christian Norgaard as replacements. Sevilla defender Simon Kjaer is not part of the squad.

Ireland

While Denmark are enjoying their post-World Cup run, thing’s could not be going any worse for Martin O’Neil’s Ireland side. With his position becoming more untenable by the week, many believe that this will be the 66-year-old’s final game in charge. Coming off the back of a very lackluster showing in their 0-0 draw with bitter rivals Northern Ireland, the Greens have now managed to record just one win in their last 10, a run that stems back to November 2017. Picking up just one point out of a possible nine, Ireland already sit five points adrift at the bottom of League B Group 4, their relegation has also been confirmed for some time now. Enduring their worst run in recent memory, it will be their form in the final third that will be giving O’Neil the biggest headache. Ireland have failed to find the net in over 300 minutes of International football and have scored just one goal against the Danes in their last three attempts.

Team News

Shane Long, Ciaran Clark, Matt Doherty and Stephen Ward are all unavailable due to injuries, while James McClean is suspended for the match. Further injuries have ruled out striker Sean Maguire, defender John Egan and midfielder Alan Browne. The fitness of Callum O’Dowda is a concern.

Key Factors to Consider

• Denmark are unbeaten in their last four (W3, D1).
• Ireland have now won just one of their last 10 matches across all competitions.
• The visitors have also now failed to score in their last three matches on the bounce.
• Martin O’Neil’s side have also scored just one goal against Denmark in their last three meetings.
• Denmark are unbeaten in their last five matches on home soil, conceding 0 goals on that run.

Conclusion

Even if Åge Hareide is tempted to play a weakened side on Monday, it is hard to see Ireland pulling of an upset victory in their final UEFA Nations League outing. Given the Green’s woeful record in the final third, coupled with Denmark’s very impressive defensive record, we’re backing the hosts to finish their group campaign with yet another victory.

Verdict: Denmark win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Bet365