2018 FIFA WORLD CUP

2018 FIFA WORLD CUP – Denmark vs Australia PREVIEW



Matchday 2 of Group C. Denmark meet Australia in a game where everything is there to play for. Denmark are looking to strengthen their chances of qualifying to  Round of 16 to about 99% with a win meanwhile Australia are playing for their lives. A game where many expect Denmark to win, but Australia are not going to be an easy nut to crack as France saw it first hand.

DENMARK

Denmark are coming into their 2nd game on a high after winning the opening game. Denmark beat Peru in the opening game 1-0 in a very tough game where they had to defend for their lives in the end, but held on. Denmark didn’t look too particularly good, however one bit of magic from their star man Eriksen to play in a fantastic through ball to Poulsen who finished his chance gave them the lead and they held on. Although Denmark did keep a clean sheet, there many occasions where they looked shaky at the back as Peru created many chances but just couldn’t take them including a missed penalty. Denmark rode their luck in the end and won the opening match which puts them in a great position to advance, however the job is not done yet. Also Andres Christensen might not play due to a knock he picked up in the last game which could be a huge blow because he was their best defender in the opener.

Coming into the game against Australia, I think we’ll see Denmark play more attacking football and create more chances than they did last game. Denmark won’t have to worry about Australia’s pace because their players are not as quick as Peruvian players which caused Denmark trouble. Denmark will need to make sure to avoid getting frustrated as they are coming up against a team who showed to be very organised at the back in the opener. Now concerning Denmark’s defence, if Christensen can’t play then whoever replaces him must put in a good shift as Australia will definitely get forward a few times and Denmark need to make sure they don’t give up as many chances as they did to Peru because their luck will run out. If Denmark play to their maximum potential and get Eriksen to run things then we should fully expect them to pick up a win.

AUSTRALIA

Australia may have lost their opening game, but their performance was definitely one to be proud of. They lost 2-1 to title contending France, but some would say they got robbed and got very unfortunate. The first goal that they conceded was a penalty which some people say shouldn’t have been given, but I think it was a fair pen as their defender clipped Griezmann. Australia pegged France back with a pen of their own right away but couldn’t hold on to a draw as France scored a crazy freaky goal to win the game late which was very unfortunate for Australia. A performance like that though will put in confidence to Australia and make them think that if they can compete like this against France, then why can’t they beat Denmark and Peru? They looked solid at the back, didn’t give up many chances to France, they even created some of their own from set pieces and could’ve easily had another goal. It was just an unfortunate ending to the game for Australia. They know nobody expects them to win, so they can play pressure free and that is an advantage for them.

For Australia to get a result out of this game, they have to just keep on doing what they done against France. They’ve done everything right in that game to snatch a point, but just got unlucky. If Australia can put in a similar level performance, then we shouldn’t be surprised if they got something out of this game. Australia are very dangerous from set pieces and if Mooy continues to deliver them like he can, then they’ll cause Denmark many problems and might score a goal from it. Australia just need to make sure that they don’t go back into their old ways of leaking in goals. Denmark didn’t put in the best performance in the opening game themselves as I’ve said, so if Australia stay organised at the back and watch out for Eriksen then this game is for the taking for them. A chance will definitely fall for them, but the question is will they be able to take it.

Prediction

I think we’ll see a hard fought game here. Australia definitely surprised in the opening game, and I can see them performing at this level. Denmark didn’t look too particularly good and lucked out. If both teams perform how they perform in game 1 then Australia have a chance. Denmark will probably be on the front foot for most of the game which should enable Eriksen to dominate the game more than last time round. I think Australia will put up a great fight against Denmark, but I do believe that Denmark’s performance will improve too. It won’t be easy, but Denmark should be able to snatch a 2-1 win. Eriksen will be the difference just like against Peru when he slipped the through ball for the winning goal.

Group Standings

1 France 3 pts +1 GD

2 Denmark 3 pts +1 GD

3 Australia 0 pts -1 GD

4 Peru 0 pts -1 GD

ODDS – Decimal (WilliamHill)

Denmark Win – 1.73

Draw – 3.50

Australia Win – 4.40

KICK OFF – 21st June 2018 – 1pm UK Time