Denmark and China seemingly look set to be fighting it out for one of the other top two positions in Group D as England are favourites to win the group but these two nations will meet in the other of the two opening games of this group at Perth Rectangular Stadium on Saturday night.
It’s been 16 years since Denmark last appeared in the finals of a World Cup but they will sense an opportunity to join England into the knockout rounds if they can gain a positive result against China who are ranked just one place below the 13th ranked Danes in the FIFA table.
Denmark will head into this tournament on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Spain in an international friendly played at the start of this month but it’s worth noting that the Danes had previously put together a four-match winning streak prior, which included victories over Norway, Uruguay, Sweden and Japan which will still give Lars Sondergaard’s side a boost ahead of this group opener with China.
Denmark’s best achievements in previous World Cups have been as quarter-finalists but they may do well to even reach the last eight this time around.
China finished runners-up in the 1999 World Cup losing to USA but they have since slipped down the pecking order in terms of being contenders in World Cups since then despite failing to appear in only one World Cup in previous campaigns which was back in 2011.
China have also made it through the group stage and into the knockout rounds in each and every World Cup that they’ve qualified for but this year’s tournament may be their biggest test yet as the likes of Denmark and powerhouse England stand in their way in Group D.
With just two wins from their last nine matches overall, which were gained by way of international friendly victories over Russia in two consecutive matches played at the Conson Stadium in Qingdao, China perhaps look a little underdone in terms of winning momentum than the Danes in recent times.
Denmark W v China W Verdict
The last meeting between Denmark and China was back in March 2019 in the Algarve Cup which saw Denmark run out 1-0 winners over the Steel Roses but this upcoming encounter in this opening game of the group is expected to be a tightly fought and potentially a low-scoring affair between two sides who will understand the importance of avoiding defeat in this first group game.
Indeed, each of the previous five meetings have resulted in Under 2.5 goals scored.
Therefore, our main bet will be Under 2.5 goals @ 1.95
Other side bets worth considering:
Denmark win & Under 2.5 goals @ 3.75
Correct score: Denmark 2-0 @ 7.50
