Denmark vs Northern Ireland predictions: Danes could be denied
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- Northern Ireland have drawn three of their last six fixtures
- Denmark have won only one of their last six matches
- Recommended bet: Draw
Denmark bowed out of the Nations League in March with a 5-3 aggregate quarter-final loss to Portugal, but they will be aiming for a return to winning ways when they take on Northern Ireland in a friendly match at the Parken Stadion on Saturday.
The teams crossed paths in Euro 2024 qualifying, with Denmark registering a 1-0 victory on home soil and Northern Ireland responding with a 2-0 success on matchday 10 when there was far less importance attached to the outcome.
Denmark were certainly much stronger across that qualifying campaign, finishing in first place on 22 points, while Northern Ireland had to settle for fifth with a nine-point tally.
More recently, Northern Ireland have had a largely positive 12 months — losing only three of their last 10 matches — and they will be hoping to show the Danes how much they have progressed.
Team news
Christian Eriksen has been selected by Denmark and will aim to add to his national record of 142 caps. Mads Hermansen (groin) and Jesper Lindstrom (hernia) are sidelined and long-term absentee Andreas Christensen (match fitness) has been overlooked.
Conor Bradley returns for Northern Ireland after missing the March internationals with a hamstring strain.
Ali McCann and Dion Charles are also back in the mix, while Sunderland duo Dan Ballard and Trai Hume should feature a fortnight after taking part in the Championship play-off final.
However, Jordan Thompson, Ciaron Brown, Eoin Toal, Josh Magennis, Kofi Balmer and Ross McCausland are absent due to injuries.
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The stats
Denmark have conceded at least two goals in three of their last five matches.
Three of Denmark’s last four home games have featured less than three goals.
Northern Ireland have avoided defeat in five of their last six fixtures.
Both teams have scored in each of Northern Ireland’s last three matches.
Prediction
Denmark finished 13 points ahead of Northern Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifying but they could be drawn into a tight match by Michael O’Neill’s improving side and may struggle to justify odds-on favouritism.
A transitional period may be looming for the Danes, who lost Simon Kjaer and Thomas Delaney to international retirements after Euro 2024.
Attacking midfield talisman Christian Eriksen looks past his best and it is far from certain that the younger generation, including Rasmus Hojlund, are ready to pick up the baton.
From a Northern Ireland perspective the future looks quite exciting.
Promising youngsters Conor Bradley, Isaac Price and Shea Charles are progressing quickly and Dan Ballard and Trai Hume will be full of confidence after playing key roles in Sunderland’s Championship play-off triumph.
Head coach O’Neill has a few injuries to contend with, but he is an astute tactician and can guide his charges to a draw against Denmark.
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