Confident Denmark will contest Australia in the first match of the day. With a win in their previous encounter, Denmark will be looking forward to maintaining their good run. Thus, with a win in the match against Australia, Denmark would be eyeing the top 16 finish of the FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, Australia will look to pull things back after a loss in their previous match against France. This encounter will prove to be a must-win game for Australia if they want to finish in top 16.
Overview
Denmark began their World Cup campaign with a hard-fought victory against a Peru side making their first appearance in the competition since 1982.
Peru had earlier missed a penalty which was given by the video assistant referee for a foul by Yussuf Poulsen but the offender then gave Denmark a slim lead in the second half.
It took Denmark 27 minutes to have their first shot on goal in Saransk and they were forced to defend for large periods of the game but will still fancy their chances against an Australian side who have only made it out of the group stages on one occasion at the World Cup (2006).
Following the shock resignation of coach Ange Postecoglou in November, Van Marwijk has had limited time to prepare his Australia squad but they produced a good performance against one of the tournament favourites France.
Australia are aiming to emulate their achievements in 2006, but got off on the wrong foot with a late 2-1 defeat in Kazan.
Head-To-Head
For the first time in the history of FIFA World Cup, Denmark and Australia will come up against each other.
About Denmark
- Only in their first ever appearance in 1986 have Denmark won both of their opening two matches in a World Cup campaign.
- Denmark kept a clean sheet in their opening match against Peru, but have never kept consecutive shutouts in the World Cup before.
- All 28 of Denmark’s World Cup goals have come from inside the box.
- Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has kept a clean sheet in each of his last five matches for Denmark, last conceding a goal 534 minutes ago against Republic of Ireland.
- Christian Eriksen has had a hand in 17 goals in his last 14 appearances for Denmark (12 goals, 5 assists).
About Australia
- Australia have lost each of their last four World Cup matches, conceding at least two goals in each game.
- Australia have kept just one clean sheet in their 14 previous World Cup finals matches, a 0-0 draw with Chile in 1974.
- Mile Jedinak’s goal against France was his second for Australia in World Cup finals matches. Only Tim Cahill (five) has scored more for the Socceroos in the competition (Brett Holman also two).
Team Comparison & History
Predicted Lineup
Denmark’s predicted line-up vs Australia
Austria’s predicted line-up vs Denmark
Probable Starting XI
Denmark :
Kasper Schmeichel, Jens Stryger Larsen, Andreas Christensen, Simon Kjaer, Henrik Dalsgaard, Lasse Schone, Thomas Delaney, Christian Eriksen, Pione Sisto, Nicolai Jorgensen, and Yussuf Yurary Poulsen.
Austria:
Mathew Ryan, Aziz Behich, Mark Milligan, Trent Sainsbury, Josh Risdon, Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, Mile Jedinak, Robbie Kruse, Tomi Juric, and Mathew Leckie