Denmark vs Northern Ireland predictions: Danes to dominate in Copenhagen

- Denmark beat Finland before losing to Kazakhstan in group so far 
- Northern Ireland won at San Marino but then lost at home to Finland 
- Recommended bet: Denmark / Denmark in Half Time / Full Time

Denmark are expected to have too much for an injury-hit Northern Ireland when the two countries meet in a Group H European Championship qualifier in Copenhagen.

The Danes, who made it all the way to the semis of Euro 2020, kicked off their qualifying campaign with a 3-1 home win over Finland but then suffered a shock 3-2 loss away to Kazakhstan.

However, Kasper Hjulmand's side appear to be the strongest team overall in the group and should get back on track when they face Northern Ireland at the Parken Stadion.

The visitors made hard work seeing off minnows San Marino 2-0 in their opener before suffering a somewhat disappointing 1-0 home reverse to the Finns in their second outing.

Team news

The Danes have a plethora of Premier League talents to choose from with Manchester United playmaker Christian Eriksen, Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Crystal Palace's Joachim Andersen and Bournemouth's Philip Billing all among their options.

Brentford trio Mathias Jensen, Mikkel Damsgaard and Mathias Jorgensen are also in the squad and could feature, while Barcelona's Andreas Christensen, AC Milan's Simon Kjaer and RB Leipzig's Yussuf Poulsen should start.

Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund — who scored all five goals for Denmark in the last international break — is set to lead the line with Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind in support and former Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel is poised to earn his 92nd cap.

Northern Ireland have huge injury problems ahead of this clash as they are without senior players Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas, Conor Washington and Corry Evans, while Liam Boyce, Josh Magennis and Shane Ferguson have also been ruled out.

Michael O'Neill has drafted in uncapped quartet Callum Marshall, Aaron Donnelly, Lee Bonis and Sean Goss.

The visitors' do have some experience in the shape of captain Jonny Evans, who looks to have shaken off his hamstring injury in time to win his 101st international cap, while Watford defender Craig Cathcart and Newcastle United full-back Jamal Lewis should line-up in front of Burnley goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

The stats

Northern Ireland sit 62nd in the FIFA World Rankings, 43 places below the Danes, but they failed to build on qualifying for Euro 2016 when missing out on Euro 2020 and last year's World Cup.

The Green and White Army have only won two of their last nine games, but Denmark also approach the tie in poor overall form, winning just one of their last five.

The two nations have met 11 times in total, with four wins for the Danes, five draws apiece and two wins for Northern Ireland, one of which was the last time they faced each other — when goals from Warren Feeney and David Healy sealed a 2-1 win in Belfast in 2007.

Prediction

With the likes of Eriksen, Hojbjerg and rising star Hojland, who has netted five goals in his first four internationals, in their ranks Denmark look to be too strong for a weakened Northern Ireland.

O'Neill's men were far from convincing when only beating San Marino 2-0 and the follow-up loss to Finland will set alarm bells ringing ahead of probably the toughest test in the group.

The Danes were not at their best when going down to Kazakhstan but they will probably dominate this game from the off so going with Denmark/Denmark in the Half Time / Full Time market looks wise.

Back Denmark/Denmark in Half Time / Full Time at 5/6 with LiveScore Bet.