Northern Ireland will look to continue their preparations for their World Cup qualifiers in September as they travel to the Parken Stadium to take on Denmark on Saturday night.
Northern Ireland will come into this international break in a buoyant mood, as they earned promotion to League B in the Nations League after topping a group containing Belarus, Bulgaria and Luxembourg.
After these two friendlies with Denmark on Saturday and at home to fellow Nordic nation Iceland three days later, Michael O’Neill’s men will battle with Germany, Slovakia and Luxembourg, once again, in their World Cup qualifying group, which begins in September.
Denmark also had a steady Nations League campaign, as they finished second in League A Group 4, finishing long behind group winners Spain but ahead of both Serbia and Switzerland.
However, their hopes of reaching the Nations League semi-finals were ended by Portugal, as they lost 5-3 on aggregate in extra time despite winning the home leg 1-0.
Nevertheless, Brian Riemer’s hosts must pick themselves up from that disappointment, as they are placed in a potentially awkward World Cup qualifying group with the likes of Greece and Scotland.
How the bookies view it: Denmark short-priced favourites
Unsurprisingly, Denmark come into this clash as favourites, with BoyleSports pricing them at just 2/7 to win.
Northern Ireland are massive 9/1 underdogs with the same firm, whilst the draw is 15/4.
Head to head: History on Norn Iron’s side
Northern Ireland have lost just one of their last four meetings with Denmark, including an impressive 2-0 victory at Windsor Park in the Euro 2024 qualifiers just two years ago.
However, Denmark had won the reverse fixture at The Parken 1-0.
Players to watch: Biereth to bag?
Mika Biereth has been in sensational form at Monaco since making the switch from Sturm Graz in January, and the ex-Motherwell forward is 1/1 at BoyleSports to get off the mark for his country.
Isaac Price has scored in four of his last five appearances for Northern Ireland, including a memorable hat trick against Bulgaria last October.
Predicted line-ups:
Despite now being a free agent after leaving Manchester United, record cap holder Christian Eriksen is once again included in a talented and experienced squad.
Northern Ireland have no major injury concerns, with Michael O’Neill naming the same 26-man squad from the previous international window.
Denmark: Schmeichel, Kristensen, Andersen, Vestergaard, Dorgu, Norgaard, Hjulmand, Isaksen, Eriksen, Lindstrom, Biereth
Northern Ireland: Charles, Hume, McNair, Brown, Spencer, Smyth, Charles, Saville, Gaibraith, Price, Bonis
Anything else catch the eye?
As alluded to above, Denmark defeated Northern Ireland 1-0 at The Parken two years ago in a Euro 2024 qualifier, and a similarly low-scoring Denmark victory could be on the cards again.
The Danes defeated Serbia and Switzerland 2-0 and Portugal 1-0 at home in the Nations League, and a Denmark Win to Nil at 1/1 at BoyleSports certainly appeals.
A Denmark win & Under 3.5 Goals also pays 1/1 at BoyleSports, and that also looks like a solid selection.
GambleAware