2022 FIFA World Cup Team Preview: Denmark

Denmark World Cup Team Preview

Denmark

FIFA Ranking: 10
Manager: Kasper Hjulmand
Federation: UEFA
Group: France, Denmark, Australia, Tunisia
Odds to win World Cup: +3200, FanDuel Sportsbook
Odds to win Group D: +275, Caesars
Odds to advance in Group D: -250, PointsBet

How did Denmark qualify for the World Cup?

Denmark were perhaps the most impressive team in all of qualifying only missing out on points in one match against Scotland.

Who is Denmark’s most important player?

Christian Eriksen

It is incredible to even think about Eriksen being able to play at the level he is playing after suffering cardiac arrest on the pitch during the Euro’s. Christian Eriksen is seemingly back to being Christian Eriksen, and that is the most talented footballer on this Danish squad with the ability to control the entire pace of a match.

What are Denmark’s strengths, weaknesses, style of play and form?

Denmark is expected to play a modified 3-4-1-2 that has the option of turning into a 5-2-1-2 with Eriksen playing as a traditional number 10 in the center of the pitch. The Danes are known to press high and force turnovers that lead to quick build up attacking play. This is one of the more exciting teams to watch in this tournament.

Denmark’s greatest strength is their team philosophy. While they have a lot of quality players, you can argue Christian Eriksen is their only “world class” player. This is a team that defends and attacks as a team, and it really works. Their GK and CB triangle (Schmeichel, Christensen and Kjaer have a combined 265 caps between them and have gone into the last three major tournaments together.

I would argue Denmark’s greatest weakness is their lack of star power. This is a true dark-horse team to win the entire tournament, but do they have enough talent to beat the Brazils, Argentinas, Frances, Germanys and Spains of the world? Their recent results against France suggest they do, but the World Cup is a whole different level of stage.

Denmark were inconsistent in the Nations Cup, beating France and Austria twice but losing to Croatia twice.

What is Denmark’s World Cup Outlook?

As mentioned above, this team should be taken seriously as a dark horse that could win the whole thing. Like Croatia did, reaching the finals in 2018, Denmark should be able to advance out of their group fairly easily. The issue for Denmark is that if Argentina wins their group and Denmark finishes second, they get a Round of 16 matchup against Argentina. If Denmark is able to continue their success against France, and win Group D, they have a clear path to the Quarterfinals with what should be a very beatable round of 16 matchup against Poland or Mexico. If Denmark is unable to get out of the group stage, this World Cup would be seen as a total failure.

Best Denmark World Cup Bet

Group D Straight Forecast: 1st France, 2nd Denmark (-105, DraftKings Sportsbook)

This is a bit conservative as I’m tempted to hit Denmark first, France second at +300 but ultimately -105 feels like good value considering it is extremely highly likely that it is both France and Denmark advancing in Group D.