Denmark vs Finland prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-03-22 19:45.
Boss Kasper Hjulmand hopes his Denmark side can put a disappointing FIFA World Cup behind them as their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign gets underway. The manager admits his side’s performance at Qatar 2022 was “not good enough” as they failed to win a single game (D1, L2), despite being well-fancied to go deep into the tournament after an impressive UEFA Nations League campaign.
Their hopes of returning to winning ways are hindered by injuries to two key players, the talismanic Christian Eriksen and key marksman Andreas Skov Olsen, but Rasmus Kristensen, originally omitted due to his lack of first-team football for Leeds, has been selected in his place and notably scored in a Premier League win over Wolves on Saturday. He will aim to help the Red and Whites extend their superb record against Scandinavian rivals Finland, to whom they have lost just twice since 1966 (W16, D8)!
Despite that poor H2H record, the Finns have fond memories of playing Denmark, as they registered their first-ever victory at a major tournament against them (1-0 at Euro 2020). Manager Markku Kanerva seems to think a repeat result is unlikely, however, after describing the Danes as “the early favourites” to win the group.
The Eagle-owls’ recent form would back up that sentiment, as they have picked up just two victories across their last 13 outings (D5, L6), both of which were against Montenegro. They also have a worrying poor away record in away European Championship qualifiers, with their six victories in 21 matches since mid-2006 all coming against teams outside of FIFA’s top 30 in the rankings (D6, L9) – Denmark are currently ranked in 18th place.
Key battle: Denmark captain Simon Kjær has only lost one of his previous 13 home European Championship qualifiers (W9, D3). He will be hoping to keep Finland star Teemu Pukki quiet as the striker looks to add to his ten goals in his last eight European Championship qualifiers (W5, L3).
Hot streak: Only one of Denmark’s last eight home games have seen both teams score.