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Denmark vs Portugal Preview: Team News & Prediction

by Alex Lawes · March 18 2025, 10:18
Updated March 20 2025, 12:34
Denmark vs Portugal Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The first-leg of this UEFA Nations League quarter-final does appear to be a bit of a mis-match as Denmark, with a new look, take on a Portugal side building again under Roberto Martinez.

Kick-off date/time: Thursday 20th March, 2025: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 3:45pm / US PT – 12:45pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – FOX Sports

How to watch online: UK – Viaplay International YouTube / US – FOX Sports streaming platforms

Denmark Preview: Evolving Denmark

Kasper Hjulmand, who led Denmark to the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2020, departed his job in charge of his national side last summer following Denmark’s Round of 16 exit to hosts Germany at UEFA EURO 2024 and he has now, eventually, been replaced by Brian Riemer.

The former Anderlecht boss only took charge of the November international break after some slow negotiating with the Danish FA and he began with a loss and a defeat; losing to Spain and then sharing a goalless draw with ten-man Serbia in Belgrade.

Portugal Preview: Frustrated Portugal

Roberto Martinez’ Portugal were awful at UEFA EURO 2024, knocked out on penalties in the quarter-finals after squeezing past Slovenia on penalties and also losing to Georgia in the groups, having also needed a dramatic late rescue act to defeat Czechia.

The Portuguese, who are not necessarily evolving their personnel too much, won a fairly weak group in League A of the UEFA Nations League – and even with four victories and two draws, they still threw in some average results such as a goalless draw with Scotland in Glasgow.

Denmark Team News: Hojlund still relied upon

Brian Riemer has discussed the form of Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund with the former Anderlecht boss saying his selection is a 'compromise', acknowledging his poor form but believing he can get some 'national love'. RB Leipzig defender Mads Roerslev has withdrawn from the squad alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Maehle, Andersen, Nelsson, Dorgu; Norgaard, Hjulmand; Isaksen, Eriksen, Damsgaard; Hojlund

Unavailable: Nicolaisen (Injured), Sorensen (Injured), Bah (Injured), Roerslev (Injured), Hojbjerg (Injured), Kjaergaard (Injured), O'Riley (Injured), Daramy (Injured), Dolberg (Injured)

Questionable: 

Portugal Team News: PSG double pivot

Roberto Martinez has heaped the praise on Vitinha and there is an expectation that he will now go for the Paris Saint-Germain double pivot in midfield with him partnerned alongside club teammate Joao Neves. 217-cap Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been included for A Selecao Das Quinas.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Costa; Diogo Dalot, A. Silva, Dias, Mendes; J. Neves, Vitinha; B. Silva, Fernandes, Leao; Cristiano Ronaldo

Unavailable: 

Questionable:

Key Stats

  • This is the first international tournament knockout tie between these teams, all their previous 15 encounters were either friendly matches or group/league matches.
  • Denmark have won four of their last five UEFA Nations League home matches, though they did lose 1-2 against Spain in their most recent such fixture.
  • Denmark have kept seven clean sheets in their previous 11 UEFA Nations League home matches.
  • Denmark have lost only four of their last 22 international matches (W11 D7).
  • Portugal have won their last three encounters against Denmark and lead the overall head-to-head record with ten wins to Denmark’s three, the pair have also drawn twice.
  • Portugal were unbeaten in their 2024/25 UEFA Nations League group with four wins and two draws.
  • Portugal have lost only three of their previous 24 UEFA Nations League matches (W16 D6).
  • Portugal have lost only one of their previous 11 UEFA Nations League matches outside of Portugal (W5 D5). That was a 0-1 defeat against Switzerland in June 2022.

Denmark vs Portugal Prediction

Denmark will need to quickly adapt to what Brian Riemer wants to do if they want to challenge Portugal in Copenhagen but it has been such a short tenure thus far and the early signs were not positive with little reason to thing there would have been a major improvement. Portugal have an experimental coach that can get the best out of his side in lower key moments, albeit they are massively guilty of overthinking on the bigger stage. This one doesn’t fall into the category of the bigger stage, though.

Denmark vs Portugal Tip: Portugal to win

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