Denmark vs Scotland: Football Previews & Free Football Betting Tips
Two familiar European rivals square off in Copenhagen to open World Cup qualifying. Denmark’s recent competitive run has been built on structure and set-piece reliability, while Scotland arrive with a knack for chaotic, high-effort games that can swing on moments from their midfield runners.
Expect Parken to be loud and partisan, with Scotland’s travelling support adding spice. Denmark should set up in a compact 4-3-3 that can tilt into a 3-2 build with Joakim Maehle high and aggressive. Scotland typically lean on a 3-4-2-1/3-5-2 hybrid, using Andy Robertson and Aaron Hickey to push the width and John McGinn to join the striker in the box.
- Selected core: Kasper Schmeichel, Mads Hermansen, Frederik Rønnow; Joachim Andersen, Andreas Christensen, Jannik Vestergaard, Victor Nelsson, Rasmus Kristensen, Joakim Maehle, Patrick Dorgu, Alexander Bah; Morten Hjulmand, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Matt O’Riley, Jesper Lindstrøm, Mikkel Damsgaard, Gustav Isaksen, Victor Jensen; Rasmus Højlund, Yussuf Poulsen, Kasper Dolberg, Mika Biereth, Victor Froholdt.
- Doubts/absences: Christian Nørgaard (fitness doubt). Christian Eriksen not in this squad.
- Likely roles: Hjulmand to anchor and free Højbjerg/O’Riley to step on; Maehle provides width; Højlund’s runs in behind remain the direct threat.
- Selected squad: Zander Clark, Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly; Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Dom Hyam, Max Johnston, Scott McKenna, Anthony Ralston, Andy Robertson, John Souttar, Kieran Tierney; Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Ben Doak, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay, Lennon Miller; Che Adams, Kieron Bowie, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst.
- Doubts/absences: Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston – fitness to be monitored. Craig Gordon not selected.
- Likely roles: McGinn and McTominay as late-arriving threats; Robertson drives the left flank; Adams/Dykes work the channels and attack crosses.
Record: 3–3–4. Total goals: 10 scored, 12 conceded — that’s 1.0 scored per match and 1.2 conceded per match. Clean sheets in half of those games underline a solid baseline, but when they concede first the attack can look a little formulaic.
Trend: comfortable controlling territory against mid-tier opponents, more conservative against top seeds, with set-pieces a steady source.
Record: 2–3–5. Total goals: 12 scored, 18 conceded — about 1.2 scored per match and 1.8 conceded per match. Only two clean sheets in ten tells its own story, but they do carry a punch from midfield runners and set plays.
Trend: games can open up quickly; they’re dangerous when pressing triggers land, but space behind the wing-backs can be exposed.
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| Metric | Denmark | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| Last 10 record (wins–draws–losses) | 3–3–4 | 2–3–5 |
| Total goals scored (last 10) | 10 | 12 |
| Total goals conceded (last 10) | 12 | 18 |
| Average goals scored per match | 1.0 | 1.2 |
| Average goals conceded per match | 1.2 | 1.8 |
| Clean sheet percentage | 50% | 20% |
| Average possession | 46% | 48% |
| Average shots per match (total / on target) | 8.9 / 3.6 | 6.4 / 2.3 |
| Average yellow cards per match | 2.0 | 1.0 |
| Average tackles and interceptions per match | 11.0 | 10.0 |
| Average points per match | 1.3 | 0.9 |
Parken has been a steady base: multiple clean sheets across recent competitive home outings and an ability to suffocate territory. Denmark often edge low-event games here and rely on rest-defence plus set-pieces to break resistance.
Scotland’s road profile swings: they can turn games into physical scraps and score from second phases, but the trade-off is space behind the wing-backs. If they chase the match early, transitions against can rack up shots against.
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Goals For (average)
Goals Against (average)
- Rasmus Højlund — constant runs off the shoulder; if Denmark find him early, Scotland’s back three will be stretched.
- Morten Hjulmand — screening and tempo; his positioning underpins Denmark’s set-piece and second-ball control.
- Joakim Maehle — width and back-post arrivals; a key source of entries and cut-backs from the right/left channel.
- John McGinn — timing into the box and set-piece threat; often Scotland’s best route to high-value chances.
- Scott McTominay — late bursts and aerial power; drags markers and opens space for wing-backs.
- Andy Robertson — leadership and delivery; the left flank is Scotland’s pressure valve and crossing lane.
1–0 home win. Denmark’s defensive baseline and set-piece edge at Parken should be enough in a tight game. Scotland can create chaos, but if Denmark control rest-defence and feed Højlund’s runs, one goal may settle it.
Denmark to win — stronger defensive numbers across the last ten and home advantage in a likely low-margin match.
Under 2.5 goals — Denmark’s games trend lower-scoring (only three of ten over 2.5), and Scotland’s away matches often tighten after half-time.
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