Denmark return to Parken for another UEFA Nations League home clash on Sunday, when Serbia are the visitors to Copenhagen. Both sides will be pleased with their work on matchday one in what now looks a much more competitive group than before it began. With Spain and Switzerland also in the section, both Denmark and Serbia knew they likely needed to claim points on the opening matchday, and they duly delivered.
Hosts Denmark are under new management after the departure of Kasper Hjulmand following their last-16 exit to Germany at Euro 2024. The Danes were winless at the finals, drawing all three group matches - including a 0-0 against upcoming opponents Serbia - before being unfortunate to go out to the hosts after a five-minute spell saw them have a goal disallowed and concede a harsh penalty. Hjulmand's long-term successor has yet to be decided, with Lars Knudsen currently in caretaker charge for this set of Nations League fixtures in a similar scenario to Lee Carsley with England.
The former Leicester City coach has come in for plenty of praise after a fine first game in charge, as the Red and Whites beat Euro quarter-finalists Switzerland 2-0 on Thursday night. It was the perfect start to their third straight appearance in League A, as a repeat of their top-two finishes in the previous two iterations will now see them progress to the quarter-finals in a new, expanded format.
Serbia's 0-0 draw with Spain on the opening night also benefits the Danes, who know they can remain at least two points clear at the top with another win here. Despite a poor showing at the Euros in the summer, Serbia have stuck with manager Dragan Stojkovic, and he led a much-changed side to a fine draw with the reigning European and Nations League champions on Thursday.
Denmark vs Serbia: Team News & Injuries
Denmark lost the hugely influential duo of Simon Kjaer and Thomas Delaney following Euro 2024 as they both announced their international retirement. Those retirements and injuries across the squad saw a place open up for young wing-back Patrick Dorgu, and just one minute into his debut off the bench against Switzerland, he made a dream introduction to international football by opening the scoring. Joakim Maehle and Rasmus Hojlund are also absent with injury, so Albert Gronbaek was given his Denmark debut in attack against the Swiss, but he will compete with Dorgu and Gustav Isaksen for a start in this one. After Matt O'Riley pulled out with injury, Maurits Kjaergaard was called up to replace him, only to come down with an issue himself just days later, meaning Brentford's Mathias Jensen was brought in.
Serbia's squad is almost unrecognisable from the one that was selected for Euro 2024, with Dusan Tadic now retired, and Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Filip Kostic all not present. Mijat Gacinovic has been left out by Stojkovic, while Milos Veljkovic and Nemanja Maksimovic are also both out injured and among the 11 players dropping out from Euros squad. Andrija Zivkovic and Sasa Lukic both earned a 50th cap against Spain, while there were debuts in the new-look side for Jan-Carlo Simic, Kosta Nedeljkovic and Kristijan Belic.
Denmark vs Serbia: Head-to-Head
The two sides have met four times in the past, with Denmark winning three and drawing one.
Denmark Wins – 3## Serbia Wins – 0## Draws – 1
Denmark vs Serbia: Prediction
Denmark have won 11 of their last 12 home matches, drawing the other against Switzerland in March, so they will be hugely confident of extending that run after a win over the same opponents on Thursday. Serbia kept Spain at bay on the same night, but they need to show more in attack, and with no Mitrovic or Vlahovic they could struggle in that regard, and there is only so far a solely strong rearguard can get you.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
As things stand it seems that Denmark are the favourites to win. The Danes have never lost a match against Serbia and will certainly look to keep that record intact. The visitors will really have to do something special to steal a win from enemy territory. Chances are slim but as they say, football is a game of unpredictability and anything can happen on a given day.
Prediction: Denmark 1-0 Serbia
Denmark vs Serbia: Where to Watch
The match will be shown live on the following channels:
India – Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV## UK – ITVX, Premier Sports## US – FOX Sports App, Fox Sports 2## Nigeria – SuperSport, DStv Now
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Denmark vs Serbia: Betting Tips
Denmark and Serbia are predicted to draw 1-1.
Parken Stadium is the venue as Denmark face Serbia in UEFA Nations League A Group 4 on Sunday.
Caretaker manager Lars Knudsen takes charge of Denmark after Kasper Hjulmand departed following a disappointing Euros. Denmark made it to the round of 16 but didn’t win a match at the tournament.
Injuries and retirements have forced the Danes into a slightly different squad for this international break. They have finished second in their Nations League groups in the last two editions of the tournament and will fancy their chances of doing so again in a competitive Group 4.
Serbia earned promotion to League A after taking 13 points from six matches in the second tier last time around. Like Denmark, they are without some big names with Dusan Tadic retiring after the Euros and Aleksandar Mitrovic sidelined through injury.
Despite a group stage exit in Germany, Dragan Stojković has retained his position as the Eagles’ manager. This international break will be a real test of their depth given the number of core players unavailable.
Denmark vs Serbia: Key Players
Christian Eriksen simply cannot be ignored. The Danish team lights up whenever he comes out to play. Eriksen is known for his immaculate ball control and ability to dart around players with absolute ease. He is going to serve as the connecting point between the defence and attack. It will be interesting to see how he controls the tempo of the match. The Serbians will surely have to keep an eye out for him if they don’t want this important game to slip out of their hands. Eriksen’s versatility surely puts him a cut above the rest and makes him an asset for the Danish team.
If Denmark has Christian Eriksen, Serbia has the services of Luka Jovic at their disposal. Jovic is undoubtedly one of the most underrated players in the game today. The AC Milan man was part of some big clubs namely Real Madrid and Fiorentina but it was at Eintracht Frankfurt where he really shone the most. He scored 25 goals for Frankfurt. Jovic’s performances have been erratic which is why he has been sidelined on many occasions. In spite of those little setbacks, he is indispensable for the Serbians. Jovic also scored that important last-minute goal at the 2024 Euro that helped his country come back from a certain defeat against Slovenia.
Denmark vs Serbia: Probable Lineups
Denmark probable XI:
Schmeichel; Nelsson, Andersen, Vestergaard; Bah, Hojbjerg, Norgaard, Eriksen, Kristiansen; Poulsen, Dolberg.
Serbia probable XI:
Rajkovic; Veljkovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic; Nedeljkovic, Maksimovic, Gruijic, Zivkovic; Samardzic, Jovic, Ratkov.
Denmark vs Serbia: Match Preview
After their goalless draw at the Euros, we are sitting on the fence again for Denmark and Serbia’s clash in Copenhagen. There might be 11 spots between the two sides in the world rankings, but they are well-matched on paper.
Both teams are without some important, established players. Simon Kjaer, Thomas Delaney, and Dusan Tadic have retired from their national team. Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic, Sergi Milinkovic-Savic, Rasmus Hojlund, Andreas Christensen, and Joakim Maehle are among those unavailable for these fixtures.
These teams are both going to be figuring some stuff with so many key players missing. It could lead to a cagey affair – don’t be surprised if it ends goalless again.
Denmark vs Serbia: Betting Tips
After their goalless draw at the Euros, we are sitting on the fence again for Denmark and Serbia’s clash in Copenhagen. There might be 11 spots between the two sides in the world rankings, but they are well-matched on paper.
Both teams are without some important, established players. Simon Kjaer, Thomas Delaney, and Dusan Tadic have retired from their national team. Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic, Sergi Milinkovic-Savic, Rasmus Hojlund, Andreas Christensen, and Joakim Maehle are among those unavailable for these fixtures.
These teams are both going to be figuring some stuff with so many key players missing. It could lead to a cagey affair – don’t be surprised if it ends goalless again.
Example: Denmark vs Serbia Bet 1: Match drawn @3.75 with Stake
Denmark had under 2.5 goals in all four of their matches at the Euros. Serbia saw a total of three goals across their three Euros matches. The goalless draw in the final round of group fixtures sets us up for another low-scoring contest.
Even with a pair of 4-1 wins mixed in, Serbia went under 2.5 total goals in half of their Nations League matches in 2022-23. Denmark also hit the under in half of their matches.
In what is poised to be a competitive Group 4, we expect a tight match in Copenhagen. A draw is a decent result for both sides, particularly if Switzerland fall to Spain in Geneva.
Example: Denmark vs Serbia Bet 2: Under 2.5 total goals @2.05 with Stake
With no Mitrovic, Vlahovic, or Hojlund, Christian Eriksen stands out as the best anytime goalscorer bet. We can’t trust Luka Jovic, given that he has one international goal since 2022 and has a very underwhelming club record since leaving Eintracht Frankfurt after the 2018-19 season.
Eriksen scored against Croatia in the 2022-23 Nations League and netted in three matches in the 2020-21 edition. He’s not the same goal threat he was earlier in his career, but he has the freedom to get forward when playing for Denmark.
Yussuf Poulsen and Kasper Dolberg have combined for 24 goals in 132 caps. Eriksen is much better value than either of them to score anytime – the Danes need the Manchester United man in the final third.
