PERU v DENMARK
Live on BBC One. Saturday, June 16. Kick-off 5pm
PERU were already in a state of euphoria at ending their 38-year wait to return to football's greatest stage. And the news their captain and best player Paolo Guerrero is free to play after his controversial suspension was temporarily lifted has cranked up the feelgood factor even more.
The country's all-time top scorer tested positive for cocaine last October – he claims as a result of drinking cocoa tea – and after much wrangling his 14-month ban will now kick in as soon as the finals are over.
Peru will look to Guerrero and veteran Jefferson Farfan to trouble the Danes in the final third but the South Americans may see their optimism evaporate in a tough opener that could prove pivotal in the Group C qualification mix.
Peru squeezed through in a play-off against New Zealand after pipping Chile to fifth in the South American qualifiers and are a decent side who'll be no pushovers but could be found wanting in defence. They kept just two clean sheets in 18 qualifiers and Denmark's direct approach under Age Hareide will see them bombarded.
The Danes finished runners-up to Poland in qualification but showed what they're capable of with a 5-1 destruction of Republic of Ireland in the play-off and should be good enough to eke out victory here.
Spurs playmaker Christian Eriksen is the man who makes them tick and can be the difference between the sides.
Erisken was Denmark's top scorer in qualifying with 11 goals in 12 games, including a hot streak of netting in five straight matches. He takes their set-pieces and penalties and can have some joy against a suspect Peru rearguard.
Super Single
- Denmark draw no bet (71-100, Marathonbet)
First scorer
- Eriksen (67-10, Marathonbet)
Bonkers Bet
- Denmark 2, Peru 1 (37-4, 10bet)
Bet Builder
- Denmark double chance
- Eriksen to score
- Over 8 corners
- (11-2, bet365)
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