Friday 16th November 1945hrs Wales v Denmark Football – International – UEFA Nations League Group Four in League B is looking like one of the sections that could go right to the wire and the top two meet in Cardiff on Friday evening vying for the result that would give them the advantage. The Republic of Ireland have been lambs to the slaughters for the most part in this group and the Welsh have benefited by taking maximum points from their two games against the Irish. Denmark finish their campaign off at home to Martin O’Neill’s team early next week but are fully aware of the importance of getting a result here first. Continue reading for a match preview of Wales against Denmark with a best bet selected.
The UEFA Nations League was Ryan Giggs’ first taste of competitive football as manager of Wales and it’s been a positive experience so far. A rout of the Republic at home in the first game and a hard fought 1-0 win in Dublin last time out has given the Welsh six points after three games. Their one blot so far came in the reverse of this fixture when losing 2-0 away to the Danes back in September. Still, they hold a two point advantage although they have played a game more and will – in all likelihood – need to win on Friday to guarantee them top spot and earn promotion to the top league for the next iteration in 2020. Winning the group would also give them a potential contingency in their efforts to make Euro 2020, should they not qualify via the traditional route. Giggs, though, will only be looking to end their UEFA Nations League campaign on a high and any sort of result against a good Denmark team would ultimately do that – they’re also secure in the fact they cannot be relegated.
Denmark may be in second spot at the moment but they also know they have their fate in their own hands and four points from their final two games would see them finish top – which would have been their aim at the outset, but a win in Cardiff on Friday would also see them finish on top. Bearing in mind this is a team who were unfortunate to exit the World Cup at the stage they did (beat on penalties in the last 16 by a Croatia team who reached the final), they possess plenty of quality. A deserved win over Wales got their own campaign off to the best start but they were thwarted away to Ireland, having to settle for a goalless draw. It leaves them knowing they now have to get a result of some kind away to Wales and they would be delighted if they can seal it by getting a win. It’s now been a full year since they were able to win on their travels (World Cup games excepted) and coach Age Hareide will be aware of the challenge that his team faces in the Welsh capital.
Wales v Denmark Betting Tip
Gareth Bale is intent on winning his fitness battle to be ready to face Denmark on Friday and his inclusion will of course be pivotal to his team’s chances of success. Both he and Aaron Ramsey were nullified in the away defeat to Denmark and it’s widely recognised that they are Wales’ most influential players so it would be heartening for Giggs that his team – minus those two – were able to get a crucial win last time out away to Ireland. For Denmark they will be delighted to have their own talisman back and fit to play in this game and Monday’s home game with Ireland on Monday. Christian Eriksen is their one truly world class talent and having missed a few games for Tottenham of late, his return to the fold will be a big boost for all.
On paper this looks like a really difficult one to call and the bookmakers see it similar with little between them in the odds. Denmark were much better in their last meeting but they tend to perform best when at home and have struggled at times on the road. It gives Wales some more hope that they can get the win that would clinch top spot but they need Bale and Ramsey on top form for that. I expect we’ll see a cagey match in the beginning and with small margins involved either side, it could well be a game where neither team take big risks until they maybe have to. It all points to a low scoring affair, though, and the selection is for the match to finish with under 2.5 goals. The odds may be prohibitive but it looks a nailed on bet.
Selection: Under 2.5 goals 11/20 @ Marathon Bet
