Australia vs Denmark predictions: Danes can join France in knockouts

- Denmark and Australia have the chance to join Group D frontrunners France in last 16 
- Australia have scored in six of their last seven outings 
- Recommended bet: Denmark to win and both teams to score

Group D comes to a conclusion on Wednesday when both Australia and Denmark will hope to make the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Australia currently find themselves in a better place to make the next stage after bouncing back from a 4-1 defeat to reigning champions France, to beat Tunisia 1-0 last time out.

Denmark, who were touted as dark horses before a ball was kicked in Qatar, are yet to hit top gear after a goalless stalemate with Tunisia was followed by a narrow 2-1 defeat to the French.

Team news

Nathaniel Atkinson was forced to watch from the sidelines as the Socceroos earned their first three points of the tournament against Tunisia.

Having picked up an ankle injury against France, Atkinson was replaced by Fran Karacic, who is now likely to keep his place to face the Danes.

Manager Graham Arnold is having to work without forward Martin Boyle, after the Hibernian star suffered a knee injury just before the World Cup.

As for Denmark, they have had injury issues of their own, with Thomas Delaney ruled out of the rest of the tournament after a knee injury suffered against the Tunisians.

Boss Kasper Hjulmand has decisions to make in defence after chopping and changing over the first two games.

However, the likelihood is Andreas Skov Olsen and Simon Kjaer will be given starting roles for this crucial game in Al Wakrah.

The stats

The last time these sides met was back at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, with Denmark and Australia playing out a 1-1 draw at the Samara Arena.

Christian Eriksen, who again will be a key figure in Wednesday's showdown, opened the scoring in the seventh minute, before Mile Jedinak equalised for the Aussies.

With seven wins in their last eight games, confidence will be high in the Australia camp that they can cause an upset.

Denmark have recorded just one win, a 2-0 success against France in the Nations League, in their last four games.

However, the Danes are dark horses for a reason, with their performances over recent years, including a semi-final spot at Euro 2020, helping them climb into the top 10 in the FIFA world rankings.

Prediction

Denmark have failed to really get out of first or second gear so far, but with the pressure on they should have enough to beat an Australia side ranked 38th in the world.

The Socceroos know that a draw should be enough to see them through but it could work against them if they get on the defensive and allow the likes of Eriksen and Mikkel Damsgaard too much time on the ball.

It might well be another cagey encounter but the 21/10 with LiveScore Bet for a Danish win with both teams scoring could be the way to go in this one.

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