Denmark-Northern Ireland is a match from the third day of Group H of the Euro 2024 qualifiers and is played on Friday at 20:45: tv, predictions.
In Group H after two days there is only one team with a full score, but surprisingly it is not Denmark, the clear favourite for first place. Yeah, that’s right
Kasper Hjulmand’s selection had managed to beat a tough Finland 3-1 in their opening match, thanks to a hat-trick from an unstoppable Hojlund, the Atalanta striker who has become a goal-scoring starter since the World Cup. But in the next, seemingly even easier match, they were resoundingly beaten by Kazakhstan, even after going ahead by two goals and being remounted within twenty minutes. This defeat is absurd and, for the time being, balances out a group that, on paper, should have seen the Danes dominating and the others competing for the other direct qualification spot, without going through the playoffs. Denmark will in any case try to turn over a new leaf after the incredible false step last March in the home match against Northern Ireland. Hjulmand, already in the crosshairs after the unsuccessful experience in Qatar – his selection did not even make the group – demands the utmost concentration from his team: the goal is to make up ground on Slovenia, their next opponent.
Denmark wants to turn the page
In the standings, on 3 points, there are several national teams, including Northern Ireland, who had an easy time on debut (2-0) against San Marino, destined to remain at the bottom.
Conor Washington v Finland
Northern Ireland, however, subsequently failed the most important test, losing to a direct contender for second or third place such as Finland, who got the better of them 1-0 in Belfast. Against the Finns, an excellent defensive performance was not enough to give continuity to the success achieved against the modest San Marino selection. For Michael O’Neill’s men, therefore, the grey period continues: they have won only twice in their last nine matches and their last away success dates back to March 2022. The selector in Denmark will have to do without three veterans such as Evans, Dallas and Davis.
The Prediction
Denmark want to forget the absurd defeat they suffered in Kazakhstan as soon as possible, and in all likelihood they will be back to winning ways against an in-form Northern Ireland side, who will play their usual shrewd game in an attempt to at least limit the damage. The total goals, in Copenhagen, could be at least three.
Denmark-Northern Ireland line-up probables
- DENMARK (4-4-1-1): Schmeichel; Bah, Kjaer, Christensen, Maehle; Norgaard, Eriksen, Hojbjerg, Jensen; Wind; Hojlund.
- NORTHERN IRELAND (3-5-2): Peacock-Farrell; Cathcart, Evans, Brown; Bradley, McNair, Charles, Thompson, Lewis; Charles, Whyte.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
