It will be a tough return to the Parken Stadium for Denmark, who lost to Finland only five days ago, not only did they lose but were on the side of an unfortunate injury to one of their players, which shows that football is not at all that important when a player’s life is at stake.
A medical emergency meant their game had to be suspended due to an injury to key player Christian Eriksen. Although play resumed the shock the team understandably went through could have easily been a factor in their loss.
Belgium came through their game rather comfortably after their 3-0 demolition of Russia and have now won four of their last five games at the European Championships.
Denmark though will no doubt be looking to bounce back and get their first win of the tournament not only for themselves but for their teammate and with just two losses in their last 12 internationals overall there is still some optimism in the Danish camp that they will reach the knockouts for the first time since 2004.
In their last five head to heads they have each won two games while drawing just one. Denmark scored 10 and conceded 10 over those five matches. Six of their meetings have taken place in Copenhagen where Denmark have recorded three wins and Belgium just two.
Denmark are 1/20 to win the game and Belgium are 2/0 to win the game.
- Previous defensive record:
Denmark conceded a solo goal in unfortunate circumstances in their restarted loss to Finland while Belgium scored three and managed to keep a clean sheet in their first tie against Russia.
Denmark’s Martin Braithwaite has two goals in his last five internationals, with both strikes coming before the 20th minute although he failed to score against Finland. While Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) got a brace against Russia and has now scored 22 international goals in 19 matches since the 2018 World Cup but will be looking to keep his scoring run going.
Christian Eriksen (Denmark) is of course out with the unfortunate injury sustained during their first game. Timothy Castagne and Jan Vertonghen seem to be ruled out with face and ankle injuries for Belgium but Axel Witsel could make his return six months after he tore his Achilles tendon.
Denmark possible line-up: Schmeichel; Wass, Kjaer, Christensen, Maehle; Delaney, Hojbjerg, Jensen; Poulsen, Dolberg, Braithwaite
Belgium possible line-up: Courtois; Alderweireld, Denayer, Vertonghen; Meunier, Castagne, Dendoncker, Tielemans; E. Hazard, Carrasco; Lukaku
Team view:
Kasper Hjulmand, Denmark: “We are ready to show who we are once again. We showed it on the pitch (and) off the pitch Saturday. And again Thursday we will show who we really are, and how we play, and how we fight.”
Toby Alderweireld, Belgium defender: “I don’t know how Denmark will react on the pitch but we’ll just have to look at ourselves and prepare for this game in a professional manner. We will just have to try and win the game. That is all we can do. Of course there’s a lot of sympathy from all over the world for them now, which is as it should be seeing how they handled the situation. They will have our eternal respect for that. But Belgium will try and win this game.”
Last six form guide (most recent first):
Denmark: LWDWWW
Belgium: WWDWDW
A tough return for Denmark to the stadium they lost key man Christian Eriksen awaits, only five days ago. But it may push them in a positive way to get their tournament up and running with their first win and first three points although it will be a tough mental test for Kasper Hjulmand and his side to overcome.
Also in their way stands a Belgium side who are looking to make it six points out of six and two wins in row to keep alive their chances of winning the tournament for the first time.
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