Australia vs Denmark: Place in Knockouts up for Grabs

• Australia have amassed three points and will probably advance with a draw

• Denmark must beat Australia to remain in the running for a place in the last 16

• Australia showed plenty of character last time out but this could be a bridge too far

Australia vs Denmark Odds

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Australia vs Denmark Pick

The stakes are high so this is unlikely to be a goal-laden encounter, but we think the Danes’ superior quality will eventually make the difference.

Back Denmark to beat Australia and under 2.5 goals. (+236)

Australia vs Denmark Predictions

Stuttering Denmark Are Yet to Find Their Rhythm at World Cup

Denmark were tipped by some to finish top of Group D, but that is no longer possible. Kasper Hjulmand’s side head into this encounter in third place, having picked up just a solitary point so far. If they fail to beat Australia on Wednesday, many people’s tip as World Cup 2022 dark horses will soon be on their way home. 

On matchday one, the Danes were frustrated by Tunisia in a 0-0 draw. The North Africans can be tricky opponents, but it was a poor showing from Hjulmand’s team. They had plenty of possession but failed to create enough clear-cut chances, in part because they often were guilty of moving the ball too slowly.

On Saturday, Denmark faced France for the third time this calendar year. On the two previous occasions, both in the Nations League, they beat the reigning world champions. Last time out, though, France ran out 2-1 winners thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappe, the favorite to finish as the World Cup 2022 top scorer.

Denmark had their moments at the weekend. They struggled to mount quick breaks forward after winning the ball back in deep areas, but they posed a threat after sustained spells of possession. A narrow defeat by France, among the standout performers in Qatar to date, should not be a source of shame.

It is the draw with Tunisia that Denmark will rue, but a victory at the Al Janoub Stadium should be sufficient to take them through to the round of 16.

Australia Dig Deep to Beat Tunisia and Give Themselves Hope

On Saturday Australia won their first World Cup match since 2010 and gave themselves a real shot at reaching the knockout phase for only the second time in the history of the national team. No Australian would argue that the current side possesses the same level of talent as the group that reached the last 16 in 2006, but the Socceroos are just a point away from the same achievement.

Australia took a surprise lead against France on matchday one, as Craig Goodwin took advantage of some bizarre defending from Benjamin Pavard to convert at the back post. But the world champions roared back and ended up winning 4-1. There was no disgrace in that; no one expected Graham Arnold’s men to be able to live with Kylian Mbappe and co.

Then, last weekend, a beautifully deft header from Mitchell Duke brought Australia all three points against Tunisia. The Socceroos played on the front foot in the first half, then dug deep to keep their opponents at bay after the break. They gave a fine demonstration of penalty-box defending in the face of sustained pressure, while also offering an occasional threat on the break.

Australia were not particularly convincing in qualifying. They finished a distant third in their group in the Asian section, then needed a penalty shoot-out to get past Peru in the inter-confederation play-offs.

This is far from the most talented group of Australian soccer stars of all time, but the group possesses spirit and character in abundance. Perhaps those intangible but essential qualities will make them one of the last 16 teams standing at World Cup 2022.

Denmark May Have Too Much Quality for Australia in Tight Affair

Australia started brightly against both France and Tunisia, and the lesson learned from their first-half goals is that they should not be afraid to push bodies forward when there is an opportunity to do so. 

First and foremost, though, Arnold’s side will look to keep things tight at the back. They will sit deep, in large part because center-back pairing Kye Rowles and Harry Souttar are more adept at defending the penalty area than holding a high line. Australia will allow Denmark a certain amount of possession but try to limit their entries into the 18-yard box.

This will be a match where Denmark will need to remain patient. They might not necessarily make a breakthrough early on, but panicking and becoming frantic would play right into Australia’s hands. It is true that Hjulmand’s side must win, but it only takes a second to score a goal.

We think Australia’s doggedness and Denmark’s hitherto struggles at fashioning obvious opportunities means this will be a low-scoring game. But at the end of it, we expect Denmark to be celebrating all three points and a place in the knockout phase. They have enough quality to eventually break down the Australian backline, so this could be the end of the road for the Socceroos.

How to Watch Australia vs Denmark

• Teams: Australia vs Denmark

• Location: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar

• Time: Wednesday, 30 November 2022, 10:00 AM EST

• How to Watch: Fox Sports, Telemundo, fuboTV