The free-scoring Three Lions will look to improve of Sunday’s dismantling of Belgium and remain top of their Nations League group with a win over Denmark at Wembley. Will Lancaster previews the last England fixture for this month, alongside giving his betting tips for Wednesday night’s clash.
Event Details
Who is playing?
England vs Denmark
What competition is it?
UEFA Nations League Group A2
What time is England vs Denmark?
19:45 GMT, Wednesday 14th October 2020
Which stadium is hosting England vs Denmark?
Wembley Stadium, London, England
What channel is England vs Denmark on?
Sky Sports Main Event
England vs Denmark Summary
England’s quest for yet another Nations League semi-final took a turn for the best after a surprise 2-1 win over Belgium on Sunday. The Three Lions’ fate is now in their own hands in Group A2 as they leapfrogged their opponents into the top spot.
However, with Denmark recording an impressive 3-0 away win against a usually resolute Iceland side just hours later, the Lions’ will need to be on top form against the Danes if they are to forge ahead in the closing stages of the group.
England Team News and Form
England started their return to international football rather dourly in September; an unconvincing 1-0 win in Iceland was followed up by an even more unsatisfactory performance against Denmark with a goalless draw. However, since then players have been playing relentlessly in the Premier League and their increase in match sharpness has paid dividends in more recent international fixtures. After disposing of their local rivals Wales in a routine 3-0 win, they then faced a strong Belgium side; and came out on top, triumphing 2-1 against the “Red Devils”.
It has been a welcome change to the previously mundane football that Gareth Southgate’s side have displayed since their heroics of the 2018 World Cup. Despite their annual routine wins against the minnows of their qualifying groups – such as the 6-0 and 7-0 mauling of Bulgaria and Montenegro, respectively. The Three Lions have rarely shown they can mix it with the big boys of continental football.
However, with a new younger breed of players entering the fray – such as Phil Foden, Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish – alongside the experience of Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling, England fans can get excited about next summer’s EURO competition.
There are no new injury worries in the squad, although Ben Chilwell, Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham face a battle to return to the squad following COVID-19 conduct violations.
Denmark Team News and Form
Prior to their comprehensive victories over Iceland and the Faroe Islands, Denmark had been struggling for form in recent fixtures. Paltry draws to Georgia, Kosovo, and two draws to the weakest Ireland side in years over the past two seasons have rightly clouded their own reputable result in that time frame; a well-fought victory over Switzerland.
With players who ply their trade at elite clubs; such as Christian Eriksen of Inter Milan, Andreas Christensen of Chelsea and Thomas Delaney of Borussia Dortmund, you would expect the “Red and White” nation to do much better than they have in recent times. However, under the guidance of Kasper Hjulmand – formerly of Mainz 05 – there may be rosier times ahead as a younger generation finds its way to the fore.
The Danes have hailed young winger Andreas Skov Olsen and talisman Kasper Dolberg as the newest prodigies in a country that has a reputation for producing a great conveyor belt of talent.
Several important players have missed out on the 23-man squad to face England; most notably Joachim Andersen, who has just joined Fulham on loan, and wing-back Jacob Bruun Larsen of Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. However, there are no new injury reports for the Parken Stadium outfit.
Head-to-Head
England Last Five Matches (All Competitions)
- Belgium (H) 1-1 draw, Nations League
- Wales(H) 3-0 win, Friendly
- Denmark (A) 0-0 draw, Nations League
- Iceland (A) 1-0 win, Nations League
- Kosovo (A), 4-0 win, UEFA EURO Qualifiers
Denmark Last Five Matches (All Competitions)
- Iceland (A) 3-0 win, Nations League
- Faroe Islands (H) 4-0 win, Friendly
- England (H) 0-0 draw, Nations League
- Belgium (H) 2-0 loss, Nations League
- Ireland (A) 1-1 draw, UEFA EURO Qualifiers
Top Scorers
England Top Scorers
Harry Kane (32 International Goals) – After more than a year without an England goal because of the COVID-19 outbreak, Spurs’ striker Kane will look to pick up where he left off in 2019 and edge his way even closer to Wayne Rooney’s record of 53 international goals.
Marcus Rashford (11 International Goals) – After a proud week for the Mancunian. – by receiving a well-earned MBE this week for his services to solving UK Child hunger and scoring against Belgium – he will be hungry himself to add to his goal tally for the Three Lions’.
Source: TransferMarkt
Denmark Top Scorers
Christian Eriksen (33 International Goals) – The surplus to requirements Inter Milan midfielder will enter one of his old stomping grounds on Wednesday evening. The former Spurs playmaker played 32 league games at Wembley for the Whites’ in his stint in North London, capturing the hearts of their loyal fans; however, they will hope he doesn’t show the magic they are all aware of under the famous arches.
Yussuf Poulsen (7 International Goals) – The Copenhagen-born workhorse has the potential to be a real thorn in the England defence’s side. Now in his seventh year at German powerhouses RB Leipzig, the pacy Dane will look to replicate his goal scoring antics of the past two years, albeit against a recently resolute England defence. His work-rate and persistence means that Harry Maguire and co. will have a battle from the first minute until the very last.
Source: TransferMarkt
Match Facts
- England boast a spectacular record against Denmark; winning 12 and only losing 3 to ‘De rod-hvide’; with 5 stalemates in between.
- The two have met twice before in major competitions; playing out a 0-0 draw in Group 1 at Euro 1992 (in which Denmark lifted the trophy), and in the last-16 of the 2002 World Cup in Japan, where the Three Lions’ handed out a 3-0 drubbing under the reign of fellow Scandinavian Sven-Goran Eriksson.
- Denmark’s last win on English soil was back in November 2003; so long ago that a 17-year-old Wayne Rooney had scored just his third of fifty-three international goals for his country.
Previous Meetings
| 8th September 2020 | DEN 0-0 ENG | UEFA Nations League |
| 5th March 2014 | ENG 1-0 DEN | Friendly |
| 9th February 2011 | DEN 1-2 ENG | Friendly |
| 17th August 2005 | DEN 4-1 ENG | Friendly |
| 16th November 2003 | ENG 2-3 DEN | Friendly |
Will’s Betting Tips
The Three Lions’ are oozing confidence at the moment following their 2-1 win over the highest ranked side in the world – Belgium – on Sunday. A strong second half display over the Red Devils ensured that it was two wins from two this international break, and they will look to make it a hat-trick against a marginally worse Denmark team. England to win in 90 minutes is 3/4* with Mark Jarvis.
England have been very solid in defence recently. In fact, Belgium’s goal against them on Sunday evening was their first goal conceded in just over 6 games. With Denmark rarely threatening against the Three Lions defence in the last meeting between the two, I expect this feat to continue as the England players continue to gel towards gaffer Gareth Southgate’s tactics. England to keep a clean sheet is 6/4* with Mark Jarvis.
Despite their ability to grind out results, England games rarely see many goals. They were only 3 goals in the fixture vs a depleted Wales’ side, and the same amount in the Belgium fixture; even though their opponents are usually prolific in front of goal. England to win and under 3.5 goals is 6/4* with Mark Jarvis.
*Odds as of time of writing (Sunday 11th October 2020) and subject to change
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Will is a Burnley fan and has previously featured on The Yorkshire Post Sport and Kwiff.
