Wales v Denmark betting tips: Wales out to end Danish dream
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Preview and odds for the last-16 match
Few would begrudge Denmark progressing to the latter stages of Euro 2020 given what they have been through but Wales are out to end their run as we pick out some Wales v Denmark betting tips.
The Danes have recovered well from Christian Eriksen collapsing on the pitch in their opening defeat by Finland while Wales are now looking to repeat their success of five years ago when they were surprise semi-finalists.
Saturday’s match is live on BBC One and kicks off at 5pm at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, with the prize being a quarter-final in Baku against the winners of Netherlands v Czech Republic.
Wales v Denmark match odds
Wales defied the odds at the last Euros and are doing so again after finishing runners-up in Group A above Switzerland, ranked 13th in the world, and a much-lauded Turkey team.
Robert Page’s men held on to second spot in the group despite losing 1-0 to Italy in Rome in their final match, finishing above Switzerland – who beat Turkey 3-1 in Baku – on goal difference.
Wales became the smallest nation in terms of population to reach the semi-finals of the European Championship in France five years ago and are now two wins away from repeating that feat.
Asked how Wales had managed to make the last 16 again with such a small population, Page said: “Don’t underestimate the character of a Welshman.
“It’s phenomenal what that changing room has got in there. I’m absolutely bursting with pride. I can’t speak highly enough of them, they got the job done to finish second.”
Wales will have to defy the odds again in Amsterdam where they are 2/1 to get through and 4/1 for victory in 90 minutes.
Denmark will be full of confidence after clinching second place in Group B with a superb 4-1 victory over Russia in Copenhagen on Monday.
The Danes took the lead in the 38th minute through a stunning Mikkel Damsgaard strike and Yussuf Poulsen doubled the advantage just before the hour mark as he punished a mistake by Roman Zobnin.
Russia replied with Artem Dzyuba’s 70th-minute penalty before strikes from Andreas Christensen in the 79th minute and Joakim Maehle three minutes later wrapped up victory in front of a delirious crowd at the Parken Stadium.
Denmark must now leave Copenhagen for the first time at Euro 2020 but are still 5/6 favourites to win in normal time while the match is 11/5 to go to extra time.
Under 2.5 goals has paid out in six of the last seven Wales matches and is 1/2 to be repeated while both teams to score is priced at 5/4, suggesting the bookies expect a cagey contest in terms of Wales v Denmark betting tips.
Wales v Denmark head-to-head
Denmark’s confidence will be helped by doing the double over Wales in the Nations League in 2018.
Eriksen scored a goal in each half as Denmark won 2-0 on home soil and they followed that with a 2-1 victory in Wales two months later.
Nicolai Jorgensen broke the deadlock just before half-time and Martin Braithwaite’s late goal sealed Denmark’s win although there was still time for Gareth Bale to pull one back and give Wales hope.
Previous XI
Denmark: Schmeichel, Vestergaard, Kjaer, Maehle, Christensen, Delaney, Damsgaard, Wass, Hojbjerg, Braithwaite, Poulsen.
Key battles
Danny Ward has been one of the best goalkeepers at the tournament so far which is even more impressive given he has not started a domestic club game since his loan spell at Huddersfield in 2017.
Standing in his way at Leicester is Kasper Schmeichel so this is a good opportunity for Ward to push his claims for a first-team place at the King Power Stadium, with Schmeichel in goal for Denmark. Wales are 11/4 to keep a clean sheet with the Danes evens in the same market.
Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey has brushed aside pre-tournament concerns over his fitness by starting three games in nine days and could again be the key man for Wales while Poulsen has scored in back-to-back games for a Denmark team which has not struggled for goals in Eriksen’s absence.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
