Belgium vs Denmark – Belgium tipped for Nations League final

2020-21 UEFA Nations League, Group A2 preview: Belgium vs Denmark – Den Dreef, Leuven – Wednesday, 18 November 2020 – 19:45 BST – Matchday 6 of 6

Belgium vs Denmark Preview

With the Belgians just 2 points ahead of Denmark, Wednesday night's clash at Den Dreef, Leuven, will be a fight for the top spot of the Group A2 cluster and a decider for a place in next year's finals.

Roberto Martinez's side avenged their defeat at Wembley last month to England by putting up an emphatic performance in their 2-0 win over the Three Lions last Sunday. Denmark's penultimate match of the 2020-21 Nations League was a fighting one against Iceland away in Reykjavik where Christian Eriksen's 85th minute goal gave the visitors three valuable points from a game that seemed destined for a draw.

Kasper Hjulmand's Denmark are in a rich vein of form, having triumphed in their last five games across all competitions and only Portugal and Italy have conceded fewer goals than the Danes in League A.

Belgium Nations League form:

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Belgium form (all competitions):

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Denmark Nations League form:

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Denmark form (all competitions):

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The Belgians will have to do without Alex Witsel and Thomas Meunier, both having picked up bookings in the weekend win over England. In such an event, Thomas Foket is likely to fill in for Meunier on the right while Leicester City's Dennis Praet will move in for Witsel. Leander Dendoncker could return from injury in time to potentially challenge Praet in the midfield space.

Denmark number one goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was forced off following a heavy collision in the Iceland game with Frederik Ronnow on standby and ready to deputize for the Belgium outing.

For the Belgian attack, Dries Mertens, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku will be running the show while for the visitors, the “go-to” man will be Eriksen who already has four goals to his name in the tournament.

Belgium probable starting XI:

Courtois (goal); Alderweireld, Denayer, Vertonghen; Foket, Praet, Tielemans, Hazard; Mertens, De Bruyne; Lukaku

Denmark probable starting XI:

Ronnow (goal); Christensen, Kjaer, Vestergaard; Wass, Delaney, Jensen, Larsen; Eriksen; Braithwaite, Poulsen

Belgium vs Denmark Verdict & Predictions

Wednesday's game will potentially be a fascinating winner-takes-all encounter between two sides in good recent form.

Being the Numero Uno team in the world, Martinez will want to see his side stamp their authority on the group with a win and the Red Devils can be expected to secure a spot in the finals. There will be less pressure on Belgium going into Wednesday night's clash as only a draw will suffice.

Belgium vs Denmark Bookmaker Odds

All the Bet365 odds quoted are subject to change and were correct as of 17/11/2020.

• Belgium to win: 8/15
• Denmark to win: 9/2
• Draw: 14/5

Correct score odds

• Belgium 1-0: 11/2
• Draw 1-1: 13/2
• Belgium 2-0: 13/2
• Belgium 2-1: 15/2 at Bet365 (predicted scoreline)
• Draw 0-0: 9/1
• Denmark 1-0: 12/1
• Belgium 3-1: 12/1
• Denmark 2-1: 16/1

Anytime scorer

• Romelu LukakuL 6/5
• Dries Mertens: 2/1
• Christian Eriksen: 3/1
• Yussuf Poulsen: 18/5 (888 Sport)

This article was first posted here