World Cup 2022: Can Scotland Match the Danes?

Scotland vs Denmark

World Cup 2022 action returns to Hampden Park on Monday as Scotland make a triumphant return with their World Cup dreams well and truly on track. Steve Clarke’s team welcomes Group winners Denmark for the final game of the qualifiers.

Denmark have already qualified for Qatar 2022 and arrive on the back of a comfortable win over the Faroe Islands, while Scotland confirmed their play-off place on Friday with a victory away to Moldova. Kasper Hjulmand’s team has waltzed through the group at ease, winning nine from nine and were disappointed to concede the first goal of their campaign to the Faroe Islands. Meanwhile Scotland have finished strongly and are assured of second place, beating Israel and Austria in a very competitive group.

In terms of World Cup 2022 results the outcome of this game won’t attract much attention outside of Scotland and Denmark, but we can expect an entertaining tussle between two teams in fine form.

Talking Points

Robertson can lead Scotland to another finals tournament

Since losing 2-0 to Denmark in September, Scotland have won five games on the bounce. Liverpool wing back Andy Robertson is the best player to represent Scotland for quite some time and he showed what a great leader he is at Euro 2020, lifting his team to boss England in a goalless draw at Wembley. Liverpool suffered a defeat to West Ham last week but they are one of three teams in the race for the Premier League title, and if Robertson and his opposite wing back Trent Alexander Arnold can recapture their form of 2020 then the Reds have a realistic chance.

This Scotland team has more quality in it than for decades, with Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney being as comfortable in defence as he is whipping dangerous crosses in to support the attack. And there are more leaders in the team with Leeds United captain Liam Cooper marshalling the defence and Celtic skipper Callum McGregor in midfield.

It is at either end of the pitch where the Scots can sometimes be exposed though. They are still relying on 38 year old Hearts keeper Craig Gordon as the last line of defence; he’s a great pro but he’s no Kasper Schmeichel. While up front Scotland have been without a top striker for a while. Goals from Nathan Patterson and Che Adams saw off Moldova and in Southampton’s Adams they may have the answer.

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay missed out on the trip to Moldova due to illness and he’s likely to be absent again.

Denmark continue to impress

Denmark beat Hakan Ericson's Faroe Islands 3-1 in World Cup 2022 — Kasper Schmeichel during the warm up before the match against Faroe Islands

The Danes were one of the first three teams to qualify for World Cup 2022, alongside hosts Qatar and Germany. And after putting in such a heroic performance at Euro 2020 they have continued to play attractive football while being devilishly hard to beat. They come into the match on the back of a 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands and were frankly gutted to concede their first goal of the tournament, very late in the game. That leaves them with a record of a maximum 27 points and a goal difference of +29 with 30 scored.

Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was particularly frustrated to ship the 89^th minute goal to the Faroes. He is well known to SBOTOP football fans as one of the best keepers in the Premier League, as well as a being a huge figure in the recent history of Denmark, with 77 caps to his name. And the Danes continue to be led by the inspirational skipper Simon Kjaer. The 32 year old Milan centre back has 118 caps already and looks certain to continue for a few seasons yet.

With the experience of Valencia’s Daniel Wass in midfield and Red Bull Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen up front, there are plenty of players in the squad which the new generation of Danes can learn from. Hoffenheim’s young gun Jacob Brun Larsson scored his first international goal in the victory over the Faroe Islands and while Sampdoria sensation Mikkel Damsgaard is sidelined, Larsson could be in line for a start.

History

Scotland have had the better of the head to head encounters, but not by much, winning five to Denmark’s four in all meetings since 1970.

Denmark won the last meeting, in September, thanks to goals from Wass and Joakim Maehle, but they now meet a Scotland side on a five match winning run.

While the Danes are 100 percenters, Scotland are yet to lose at Hampden in this tournament and so something is likely to give.

Betting Tip

	Scotland vs Denmark	Denmark Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 1.88
	November 16, 03:45 (GMT+8)

The Scotland vs Denmark betting odds say the Danes should win and it will be a close thing. Two teams in form, neither wants to lose, but I suspect the visitors might just edge it.