Denmark have home advantage once again for their final Group B clash but will it be a case of third-time lucky as they get ready to host Russia, who will be leaving the comforts of Saint Petersburg for the first time in this tournament?
Both sides can still qualify for the knockout stages, Russia even with a defeat, but the onus is obviously on the Danes to make the running as they have yet to pick up a point and need to win to draw level with Monday’s opponents.
Belgium will be expected to win their group finale and that could leave the three other teams level on three points, with various tie-breakers potentially needed to sort out the minor places, although that could take a while, depending on the scores.
If Denmark do not win though they will definitely be out and they have been installed as 5/7 favourites to secure the three points, with Russia on offer at 19/5 to make it back-to-back wins, while the draw is priced up at 3/1.
Danes Can Take Game to Russia
There were mitigating circumstances surrounding the opening defeat to Finland, and it is truly remarkable they were able to complete the game given what happened to their talisman Christian Eriksen.
They still should not have lost to Finland, based on the stats, wasting their 23 attempts at goal while conceding to their opponents’ only effort of the entire match, but obviously all under very unusual and trying circumstances which would have tested anyone.
Gåtur i Helsingør
Kampen mod Belgien nærmer sig.#ForDanmark #EURO2020 #DEN pic.twitter.com/iPTGGEHDHg— Fodboldlandsholdene
(@dbulandshold) June 17, 2021
Denmark certainly looked capable, for a half at least, of beating the top-ranked side in world football, Belgium, taking a 1-0 lead into the break before the Red Devils’ brought on their big guns, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, which turned the match on its head in the second half.
As a form-line though, Russia never laid a glove on Roberto Martinez’s side – who were without their top two superstars – in their opener, conceding as early as the 10th minute as they fell to a convincing 3-0 defeat.
Russia to Play Defensive Game
It could be argued that Stanislav Cherchesov’s side were less dominant than the Danes against Finland, but crucially picked up the win meaning they don’t need to go chasing anything in this finale.
It is unlikely they will take the game to their hosts, but rather try and be compact defensively, particularly as a narrow defeat might still see them through, and Denmark will have to be more clinical this time around as chances will inevitably come.
The problem for Russia though is defence is not the strongest part of their game and although they have secured 1-0 wins over Bulgaria and Finland recently, they have also lost to the likes of Slovakia, Serbia and Turkey, while Malta and Slovenia also scored against them in defeat.
Denmark, fuelled by emotion and a desperate need for the win, have no choice but to attack and there look to be goals in this encounter, with over 2.5 on offer at 28/25, while both teams to score pays out at 23/20.
For that extra bit of value, a home victory and over 2.5 goals in the match should also be under consideration, priced at 2/1.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
