Wales do their best work in Cardiff where they are coming off a win against Norway. Craig Bellamy’s side can avoid defeat against a Denmark side who have picked up three points in three games.
Key Stats
- Wales are undefeated in 15 of their last 16 matches in Cardiff.
- Denmark have failed to win in their last 3 competitive away games.
HTH
Denmark have won four straight games against Wales to build an 8-4 advantage. There has never been a draw.
Wales Return to Winning Ways
Wales had a rough start in the Nations League, beginning with a 1-0 defeat in Portugal. They were second best for most of the contest but Lewis Koumas had a great opportunity to equalise late on.
The Dragons found it tough in Denmark, ending with 38% possession and 0.62-1.39 xG in a 2-0 defeat. They held on until half time before Ben Davies’ own goal put them behind.
Craig Bellamy’s side had some help in a 2-1 win against Norway last time out. Daniel James equalised before the break and Neco Williams scored after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men.
The manager addressed some of the criticism that had been directed at him before the match: "I've lived in this environment and I had it as a player, but I think there's ways we can speak to people and just because it's the game we love, it doesn't give us the right to think we can say whatever we want to."
"We're such a small country, why can't we have each other's backs? Why don't we look after each other more? Maybe that's me. I'm not saying everyone's above criticism, far from it. But I think it's too easy, and we're too quick."
Wales Squad, Team News & Predicted Line Up
Goalkeepers: Danny Ward, Tom King, David Cornell
Defenders: Ben Davies, Connor Roberts, Neco Williams, Chris Mepham, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Ben Cabango, Jay Dasilva, Jayden Lienou
Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu, Jordan James, Josh Sheehan, Liam Cullen, Wes Burns, Joel Colwill, Cameron Congreve
Forwards: Daniel James, Kieffer Moore, Brennan Johnson, Sorba Thomas, Mark Harris, Lewis Koumas, Cian Ashford
Bournemouth’s David Brooks has withdrawn from the squad due to injury. Brennan Johnson should return to the starting side with Liam Cullen making way.
Wales (4-2-3-1): Danny Ward; Neco Williams, Ben Cabango, Ben Davies, Jay Dasilva; Ethan Ampadu, Jordan James; Daniel James, Brennan Johnson, Sorba Thomas; Lewis Koumas
Danes' Defence a Concern
Denmark have scored six goals in the Nations League but have only three points to show for it. They trailed Norway 2-0 and drew level but they couldn’t stop Erling Haaland and lost 3-2.
Brian Riemer’s side returned to Copenhagen where they had 20-10 shots and 1.39-0.62 xG in a 2-0 win against Wales. Gustav Isaksen scored after an own goal, the result rarely in doubt.
The Danes stayed at Parken Stadium where they lost for the first time in a long time, going down 4-2 to Portugal. Goals to Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Hojlund drew them level twice but it wasn’t enough.
Denmark Squad, Team News & Predicted Line Up
Goalkeepers: Andreas Jungdal, Mads Hermansen, Filip Jörgensen
Defenders: Joachim Andersen, Oliver Provstgaard, Joakim Maehle, Lucas Hogsberg, Rasmus Kristensen, Victor Bak Jensen, Victor Nelsson
Midfielders: Thomas Jorgensen, Nikolas Nartey, Victor Froholdt, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Mads Bidstrup, Morten Hjulmand, Mikkel Damsgaard
Forwards: Adam Daghim, Andreas Skov Olsen, Rasmus Hojlund, Kasper Hogh, Gustav Isaksen
Alexander Bah, Andreas Christensen, Patrick Dorgu, Albert Gronbaek and Kasper Dolberg all picked up injuries and left the squad. Lucas Hogsberg, Nikolas Nartey and Andreas Skov Olsen were called up.
Victor Froholdt is a chance to return to the starting side but Riemer admitted he has many top quality midfielders to choose from: "Froholdt is a fantastic player, he's won every individual award he could have won in recent years and has also won many with his clubs.
“Regarding our national team, we've gone through a big change, but if there's one area where we have several class players, it's in midfield. We have three players of a similar level, including Froholdt and Hjulmand, who are different players but like to play in the same areas.”
Denmark (4-2-3-1): Filip Jörgensen; Rasmus Kristensen, Joachim Andersen, Oliver Provstgaard, Joakim Maehle; Morten Hjulmand, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg; Gustav Isaksen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Mohamed Daramy; Rasmus Hojlund