DENMARK and Northern Ireland will both want to get their Euro 2024 hopes back on track when they meet on Friday in Copenhagen.
The Danes have gone backwards recently after flopping badly at the World Cup last year. Viewed as many people's dark horses for the tournament after an excellent qualifying group, they collected just one point against Tunisia and lost to France and Australia.
To compound matters, they were stunned in Astana in their last game when they somehow tossed away a two-goal half time lead to lose 3-2 to Kazakhstan, although they did win their first game against Finland.
So there's work to be done for Kasper Hjulmand ahead of the visit of the Ulster side.
Northern Ireland are in something of a transitional stage and have of course charged Michael O'Neill with bringing back the qualifying glory days by reappointing him.
But a bloodless win in San Marino was followed by a tame home defeat to Finland and they are already under serious pressure with a home game against Kazakhstan to come too.
O'Neill has included no fewer than nine players who are 22 or under and has four uncapped players in his squad. It will be a big ask in Copenhagen.
How the bookies view it
Denmark are hot favourites here at 3/10 with Coral.
Northern Ireland can be backed at 12/1 with Betfair and UniBet have the draw at 9/2.
Recent head to heads
Curiously, Denmark have never defeated Northern Ireland in four attempts stretching back to 2000, although three of the games have been draws.
Players to watch
Christian Eriksen is aiming for his 40th goal for his country as he wins his 121st cap at the age of 31. The Manchester United playmaker is 7/4 to score with bet365.
Bolton Wanderers' Dion Charles scored his first international goals for his country with a double in San Marino. He is 5/1 with bet365 to net for Northern Ireland on Friday.
Anything else catch the eye?
It's hard to escape the conclusion this is a big learning curve for the young squad of Northern Ireland, even against a Danish side who appear to have peaked a year or so ago.
The visiting squad are crammed full of seasoned English lower league pros with a sprinkling of kids who play for big clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool and West Ham, but have next to no senior football experience.
They look out of their depth and Denmark should really be way too strong. The odds reflect this, but with Northern Ireland usually struggling to score goals – the eight strikers named in their squad have nine international goals combined – go for a home win to nil at a decent 9/10 with BetVictor.
The Danes will be smarting from that shock defeat in Kazakhstan and could be in the mood here. Denmark to score three goals or more at 6/4 with bet365 seems a fair price.
This Euro 2024 match between Denmark and Northern Ireland will be played on Jun 16, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Denmark vs Northern Ireland prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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