Denmark vs Belgium
Denmark vs Belgium takes place in Copenhagen on June 17 in the second round of Group B matches of Euro2020. Denmark’s first game was marred by the hospitalisation of Christian Eriksen and it remains to be seen how well his team-mates can deal with that and move on to this game. They face a Belgium side who won convincingly in Russia and can seal qualification for the next round with another win here. Read on for our analysis, match predictions and betting tips.
Form
It might be cliche to say it, but it’s very difficult to assess Denmark’s form right now. It was understandable that the team struggled to a defeat after their game was restarted following the news that Eriksen was okay, and there is no doubt that despite his stabilisation in hospital that focus might be elsewhere for the Danes. The defeat to Finland was the first loss for Denmark in Copenhagen since they were beaten by Belgium in the Nations League in September 2020.
Belgium have been tipped by many as a good bet to win the tournament and it’s not hard to understand why. Inter forward Romelu Lukaku looked irresistible up front and his two goals will go some way towards him being a shout for the golden boot. Even without the injured Kevin de Bruyne, the Red Devils look to have an incredibly strong squad and it’s difficult to see them suffering defeat here.
Injuries
It’s possible Eriksen will not be able to play football again, let alone in this tournament and his absence leaves a hole in the Danish midfield. He was replaced by Brentford’s Mathias Jensen in the game against Finland and the question will be if Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand will go with Jensen again for this one. Alternatives could be Jensen’s Brentford team-mate Christian Norgaard or Valencia utility man Daniel Wass.
Leicester full-back Timothy Castagne will play no further part in this tournament having suffered a double fracture of his eye socket in the game against Russia. He joins Kevin de Bruyne on the sidelines who broke his nose and eye socket in the Champions League final and who is racing to be fit for any part of this tournament. Eden Hazard did come on briefly against Russia but is unlikely to start for this game.
Match predictions
Belgium are favourites for this game but maybe not as short as one would expect. It could be that the bookies are expecting Denmark to put on a show for their injured player in the next game in front of their own fans, or the distance from St Petersburg to Copenhagen affecting the Belgium squad’s preparation. There doesn’t seem to be much value in the goals market for this one and the best betting tips might be in the handicaps or the straight 12X market; particularly if Belgium continue to play in the same form they showed in the opener.
