Norway vs Denmark predictions: Super skipper set to lead hosts to an opening victory
Jamie Griffith
Norway won promotion to League A in the 2024-25 Nations League thanks to a return of 13 points from six matches
Denmark finished second in Group A4 in the previous Nations League, picking up eight points in six games
Recommended bet: Norway to win, both teams to score, Martin Odegaard to score or assist @ 4.1/1 with LiveScore Bet
Having come agonisingly close to the World Cup semi-finals as big underdogs, Norway are perhaps the only side that can rival Spain for momentum ahead of the 2026-27 Nations League.
Stale Solbakken's side will make their League A debut when they host Denmark at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadion on Thursday, and they will expect to mark the occasion with a win, as their visitors are not as dangerous as they were half a decade ago.
Team news
Alexander Sorloth is the biggest omission from the Norway squad as he continues a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Sorloth started his nation's defeat to England but Antonio Nusa is a more-than-capable replacement.
Denmark have several key players injured, with William Osula and Mathias Jensen among the big names missing.
Andreas Christensen's return is a boost, though, and Victor Bak Jensen and Mads Bidstrup are two of a few players hoping to make their debut.
The latest Norway vs Denmark odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Norway have won 16 of their last 22 games, scoring a huge 65 goals
Erling Haaland has 62 goals in 55 caps for his country
Denmark have won just two of their last six matches
The Danes have failed to score in only one of their last nine games
Norway are unbeaten in 11 home matches, winning eight
Both teams have scored in Norway's last eight games as well as five of Denmark's last seven
The latest Norway vs Denmark odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
With Norway's only 2026 World Cup loss within 90 minutes coming against star-studded France when fielding a rotated 11, it is hard to see Denmark coping with their hosts in Oslo.
The Norwegians beat Brazil, Ivory Coast and Senegal, and took England to extra time during the summer spectacle, so now looks like a perfect time to snap a seven-game winless head-to-head run.
Erling Haaland's sensational international record makes him the obvious threat to the Danes.
However, the prices reflect that, so backing Norway's skipper to step up could be a more profitable play.
Martin Odegaard provided four assists at the World Cup and with that strong record featuring in a run of nine goal involvements in 13 games for club and country, he is a standout candidate to impact this Nations League curtain-raiser.
Haaland, Odegaard, Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup will drive most of Norway's attack on Thursday, but Denmark have a few threats of their own and can make their mark in Oslo.
The hosts have gone eight games without a clean sheet and a shutout success seems unlikely with Rasmus Hojlund, Kasper Hogh and Mikkel Damsgaard set to line up for the Danes.
Score prediction: Norway 3-1 Denmark
