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England overcame a tough Serbian test on Sunday and, albeit with a few difficulties, were very solid and can confirm Round of 16 qualification with a victory against the team, Denmark, that they defeated in the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2020.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Thursday 20th June, 2024 - UK – 5:00pm / US EST – 12:00pm / US PST – 10:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – BBC / US – FOX
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – BBC iPlayer / US – VIX
DENMARK PREVIEW: ENDING A POOR FEW YEARS
It was an emotional Sunday start for Denmark the other day as Christian Eriksen scored their early opener against Slovenia in his first UEFA European Championship match since suffering a cardiac arrest against Finland back in the summer of 2021. Denmark could not hold on for all three points, though, with Erik Janza scoring a late equaliser for the Slovenians.
Ever since reaching the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2020, Denmark have massively underwhelmed. They qualified well for the 2022 FIFA World Cup before exiting at the group stages before then stumbling through the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League and UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying campaigns. They could do with a big performance to end a lengthy slump.
ENGLAND PREVIEW: CLINCHING QUALIFICATION
In what could be Gareth Southgate’s final tournament as England boss, the Three Lions started exactly how they have in his previous three campaigns – with a win. Jude Bellingham’s early header proved to be the winning goal after a dominant opening half an hour soon subsided into something of an unconvincing performance throughout the second-half.
Despite being unconvincing, England managed the game well and didn’t suffer too many defensive concerns with the closest Serbia coming a strike from outside of the box easily pushed over by Jordan Pickford. England will seek to win this tournament by playing in that manner: controlling the game defensively and hoping to have enough individual quality in attack.
DENMARK TEAM NEWS: SHIFTING THINGS AROUND
There was an expectation that Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand would start ahead of Brentford’s Christian Norgaard on Sunday but that was not the case and Norgaard is expected to retain his place with the only change likely to be Yussuf Poulsen coming in for Jonad Wind up-front.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Vestergaard; Maehle, Norgaard, Hojbjerg, Kristiansen; Eriksen; Poulsen, Hojlund
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
ENGLAND TEAM NEWS: LEFT-BACK DECISIONS
Prior to the tournament, England’s biggest injury concern was left-back Luke Shaw missing out but the Manchester United defender has made a lot of progress and could return in either this or their final group game and that would be timely for Gareth Southgate with some
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Rice, Alexander-Arnold; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Shaw (Injured)
KEY STATS
DENMARK VS ENGLAND PREDICTION
Despite the aforementioned likely method of England this summer, Gareth Southgate’s three tournaments in charge have produced 36 goals with England’s best performances coming under him. They eased themselves into the tournament on Sunday but up against a Denmark side that may well be struggling for rhythm and confidence, England will be confident of what could be a comfortable victory in which they at least keep a clean sheet.
DENMARK VS ENGLAND TIP: ENGLAND TO WIN TO NIL