Denmark has shown that home advantage sometimes does nothing to affect results after falling to two consecutive defeats. Yet will be looking to get a win in front of their home fans to give them something to smile about even if qualification is not in their own hands.
Russia has a win and a loss on their hands and sit in third place joint on three points with Finland in second. They know a win or a draw here should be enough to see them through in either second place if Finland lose or one of the best third placed teams depending on results elsewhere.
- Head to head:
In only their one previous head-to-head in 2012, Russia came out as 2-0 winners.
- Odds:
Russia are 5/0 to win the game and Denmark are 1/70 to win the game.
- Previous defensive record:
Russia were swept away 3-0 by Belgium in game one yet managed to hold out for a 1-0 win against Finland in matchday two. And Denmark have conceded three goals in two games, although they managed to score what would end up being a mere consolation against Belgium last time out.
- Players to watch:
Aleksey Miranchuk is Russia’s only pre-halftime goal scorer at Euro 2020, but four of his last five strikes have come beyond the 55th minute. Yussuf Poulsen (Denmark) opened the scoring inside the first two minutes last time out, but despite that, seven of his last eight competitive goals have arrived in or after the 60th minute.
- Team News:
Yuri Zhirkov (Russia) is out with an injury. Christian Eriksen (Denmark) of course continues to miss out due to his unfortunate injury.
Misses next match if booked: Barinov, Dzhikiya, Ozdoev (Russia)
Misses next match if booked: Damsgaard, Jensen, Wass (Denmark)
- Predicted Line-ups:
Russia possible line-up: Safonov; Barinov, Diveev, Dzhikiya; Mário Fernandes, Zobnin, Ozdoev, Karavaev; Miranchuk, Golovin; Dzyuba
Denmark possible line-up: Schmeichel; Mæhle, Kjær, Christensen, Wass; Damsgaard, Højbjerg, Delaney; Poulsen, Cornelius, Braithwaite
Managers view:
Stanislav Cherchesov, Russia: “This is going to be our first away game in two major tournaments, and without our fans. However, it’s not a problem. We haven’t used the word ‘problem’ for the past five years. It’s just a situation, and we know how to deal with it. Our task is to do our job well and get the result.”
Kasper Hjulmand, Denmark: “No matter what, we shall go out there and try win the match. It is going to be an unbelievably hard match against Russia. They are a good team. We shouldn’t force anything. We all know how hard it is to force things, and we should keep a level head and prevent mistakes. It is going to be a good, long game again.”
Last six form guide:
Russia: WLWDLW
Denmark: LLWDWW
A draw against a downbeat Denmark side could be enough to see Russia qualify via second place depending on the result in the other group B game.
And despite a spirited performance against Belgium, coming out as losers have meant that Denmark face the prospect of Euro 2020 elimination on home soil. They need a win to give themselves any chance of progression yet previous results might have just written the story for them, and it may come just a little too late as matters are no longer in their hands.
