Denmark vs Republic of Ireland
The European qualifiers have thrown up some fascinating fixtures this week and the Republic of Ireland’s visit to Denmark is right up there.
Euro 2020 Denmark vs Republic of Ireland is a chance for two old adversaries to renew their acquaintance, each with the aim of taking control of their own destiny in Group D. Age Hareide’s Denmark will start the game as favourites but there’s an added ingredient to Friday night’s fare as Mick McCarthy returns to coach Ireland.
The Irish would dearly love to get a result at the Telia Parken stadium having suffered at the hands of the Danes in recent years, in both the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and the inaugural UEFA Nations League.
There’s plenty riding on this game so let’s take a look at the team updates, head to head statistics and the very latest Denmark vs Republic of Ireland betting odds right here at SBOBET
Talking Points
Denmark’s Premier Class
In its first outing in the Euro 2020 qualifiers Denmark pulled off a stunning escape to come back from a three goal deficit in Switzerland and win a point with three goals in the final six minutes. Henrik Dalsgaard scored the dramatic injury time equaliser which broke Swiss hearts and kept the Danes in touch with the early Group D pacesetters.
Hareide has plenty of quality running through his squad which has risen to tenth in the World FIFA rankings. Skipper Simon Kjaer has played a key defensive role for La Liga high flyers Sevilla, while midfielder Thomas Delaney was part of the exciting Borussia Dortmund team which threatened to break FC Bayern’s domination of the Bundesliga this season.
But it is in the Premier League where the Danes have made the headlines in recent years. Leicester City’s keeper Kasper Schmeichel was, alongside the goals of Jamie Vardy and the midfield control of Ngolo Kante, a crucial player in the Foxes’ Premier league triumph in 2016. And Spurs creative midfielder Christian Eriksen has been one of the most consistent performers in the English top flight as his side made the Champions League final as well as finishing fourth this season.
Can McCarthy lift Ireland?
The Republic of Ireland has plenty of Premier League quality too, but is 19 places below their hosts in 29th position in the latest FIFA rankings. Seventeen years have passed since big Mick McCarthy last coached the Republic of Ireland and the Green Army hopes his no nonsense approach and style can get the best of this current crop of players.
McCarthy has been brought back to pull Ireland out of a period of malaise which saw them go four games without scoring. But Skipper Seamus Coleman is as determined as anyone to make the returning boss’ reign a success, starting with Denmark. The Everton wing back is confident, despite recent failures against their opponents, including two 0-0 draws which saw them relegated from Nations League B. He says: “We’ve got a bit of history with them. They’re a very good team with some very good players but I fully believe that this squad and the way we’ve performed recently, we can go there and get a result.
“We need to get at them, get in their faces from the start and don’t let their quality players play but we have got a great group of lads in there and we have full belief and it’s a very big game for us.”
Brighton’s colossal centre back Shane Duffy, and Burnley’s midfield duo of Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady could all play important roles but the Greens have been dealt a blow with the injury of veteran striker Shane Long, who is out with a hamstring problem.
History
Ireland has had the better of the head to head Denmark vs Republic of Ireland results with two
wins to their opponents’ one and there have been four draws.
That single victory for Denmark was a huge one though, the 2017 1-5 play-off win to qualify for the World Cup finals in Russia. Eriksen scored a hat-trick which blew the Irish away in a one-sided clash.
The Danes won Group B4 of the Nations League to win promotion at the expense of the Republic of Ireland and Wales, but both team come into the game in decent form. Denmark hasn’t lost in seven matches while Ireland is unbeaten in four and tops Group D after victories over Gibralter and Georgia.
Betting Tip
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Denmark vs Republic of Ireland | Republic of Ireland Asian Handicap + 0.75 @ 2.12 |
| June 3 02:45 (GMT+8) |
The hosts go into the game as clear favourites, no surprise when you consider the relative rankings and recent meetings. Denmark is at 1.57 to win, with the draw at 3.70 and Ireland at 4.70.
But the visitors have a steely look about them with McCarthy at the helm and are sure to make it difficult for Denmark. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them emerge with a point.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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