PREVIEW Wales vs Denmark: Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Photo: Getty Images

Wales and Denmark face off on Saturday in the first Euro 2020 last-16 tie.

The Red Dragons finished runners-up to Italy in their group before the Danes roared back from two defeats to finish behind Belgium in Group B.

Wales are looking to emulate the side of 2016 who reached the semi-finals but find themselves in the villain role as they look to deny a Denmark team still coming to terms with Christian Eriksen’s on-field cardiac arrest.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Wales vs Denmark is scheduled for a 5pm BST kick-off on Saturday, June 26, 2021.

Wales vs Denmark: Team News

Ethan Ampadu is suspended for Wales after his straight red card in defeat to Italy on Sunday, though wasn't expected to start here.

Wales had a settled starting XI during the group stage and that will be no different on Saturday against Denmark.

Denmark will continue with a back three after turning their group stage campaign around since that tactical switch.

Centre-back Simon Kjaer is expected to shake off a knock to start against Wales.

Photo: Todayuknews

Wales

Ethan Ampadu will be the only notable absentee for Page as the youngster was sent off in the game against Italy and remains suspended from the clash.

There are no injury concerns for the manager otherwise as he's likely to restore the same line-up which started against Switzerland and Turkey.

That means Kieffer Moore might come into the XI again, spearheading what could possibly be a 4-5-1 formation.

Injured: None

Suspended: Ethan Ampadu

Unavailable: None

Denmark

The Danish Dynamite will obviously be without Christian Eriksen, who continues his recovery after being discharged from hospital, but Hjulmand will have all other key players at his disposal.

Injured: None

Suspended: None

Unavailable: Christian Eriksen

Wales vs Denmark: Match Preview

Five years on from their memorable run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, Wales have a chance to create more happy memories after reaching the knockouts in successive tournaments.

The Dragons lost 1-0 to Italy in their final group match, but that is a result Rob Page likely would have accepted ahead of the match as it ensured his side remained in second.

Matteo Pessina's deft finish shortly before half time proved the difference in Rome, with Wales having to play 35 minutes with 10 men after Ethan Ampadu's red card.

Ultimately, it was the 2-0 win over Turkey four days prior that sealed Wales's spot in the last 16, that coming on the back of a slightly undeserved 1-1 draw with Switzerland.

Page was able to rotate his side for the Italy game, which was the Dragons' second loss in 16 competitive matches. Not since June 2019 have they lost successive competitive games.

However, Wales have lost their only two previous matches in Amsterdam - against the Netherlands in 1988 and 2014 - and they will not have any supporters present in the ground.

Denmark will also have the backing of the neutrals, no doubt, given the events that unfolded in their opening group match against Finland.

The sight of Christian Eriksen being resuscitated on the field will live long in the memory of those who watched on, not least the playmaker's own teammates.

That the Danes had to continue the game from where it left off less than two hours later beggars belief, but the 1-0 loss to Finland did not prove too costly in the end.

Indeed, Kasper Hjulmand's side also lost their next game - a 2-1 reverse to the world's top-ranked team Belgium - before seeing off Russia 4-1 last time out in Copenhagen.

That made Denmark the first team in European Championship history to reach the knockout stages of the competition having lost their first two group games.

Wales vs Denmark: Predictions

Wales finished second in Group A behind Italy to secure their place in the knock-out stage for the second successive European Championships.

A 4-1 win over Russia in their final group game saw Denmark move from last place to second and book a round of 16 meeting with Wales on Saturday.

This is the first meeting between the two nations since 2018 when Denmark won home and away in the UEFA Nations League.

Both nations will head into this match with real optimism but Denmark will be full of confidence after the manner of victory over Russia.

Denmark beat Wales home and away during the first Nations League campaign and are favourites to make that three wins on the trot.

You feel the momentum is with the Danes after their thrashing of Russia and cannot be ignored as the story of the tournament after Christian Eriksen's collapse.

Wales have an extra day's rest, and the more recent knockout stage experience, which could play a part come potential extra time or even penalties.

Wales 2-1 Denmark (aet)

Wales possible starting lineup:

Ward; Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, Davies; James, Ramsey, Allen, Morrell, Bale; Moore

Denmark possible starting lineup:

Schmeichel; Christensen, Kjaer, Vestergaard; Wass, Hojbjerg, Delaney, Maehle; Braithwaite, Damsgaard; Poulsen

History of head-to-head encounters between Wales and Denmark

There have been ten head-to-head encounters between the teams in their history. The Welsh have won four and the Danes have been stronger in six games. The goal difference is also on the Red and White side, 12-9. The last time the opponents met in the UEFA Nations League 2018, the Danish players won both times, 2-0 and 2-1.

Wales vs Denmark: Betting Tips

BTTS

Both teams scored when these two nations last locked horns in 2018, a game Denmark won by two goals to one. Wales have only conceded more than one goal in one of their last six international matches and pride themse4lves on having a strong defence, but Denmark scored four goals against Russia in their final group game and both teams have scored in three of the Scandiavians' last five fixtures.

Over 2.5 Goals

Matches between these two countries don't always produce a lot of goals but the last two that did both ended in 2-1 scorelines. Three of Denmark's last six outings have seen over 2.5 goals scored with the Danes scoring four goals against Russia last time out. However, Wales won't prove as easy to penetrate as the Russians did and as Turkey and Switzerland found out, Wales have goals in them.

Gareth Bale to Score

Gareth Bale is yet to find the back of the net at Euro 2020 but we feel that this is the game he will finally score. Bale is a man for the big occasions and the 31-year-old has been instrumental in Wales' progression into the knockout stage, all he is missing is a goal. Bales has scored 33-goals in 95 caps for his country and has come close to scoring in every game so far.

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