Spain will be bidding to secure top spot in Group 4 of League A in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League when they head to Denmark on Friday evening for what is shaping up to be an intriguing affair.
La Roja have already booked their position in the quarter-finals but are yet to claim first spot, while Denmark have not yet guaranteed their position in the final eight of the competition ahead of their final two matches.
Match preview
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Denmark have won two, drawn one and lost one of their four matches in Group 4 of League A to collect seven points, which has left them second, three points above third-placed Serbia and three from leaders Spain.
The Red and Whites opened their 2024-25 Nations League campaign with successive wins over Switzerland and Serbia, but they were then beaten 1-0 in Spain before drawing 2-2 with Switzerland last time out.
Denmark will finish their group-stage campaign away to Serbia on November 18, and they are in pole position to finish second, but poor results in their final two matches could see them drop out of the top two.
This match will mark Brian Riemer's first fixture in charge of Denmark, with the 46-year-old being confirmed as the new manager on October 24, and he had previously been in charge of Anderlecht.
Denmark have only won two of their previous 17 matches against Spain, with their last success over Friday's opponents proving to be a 1-0 victory in a World Cup qualification fixture back in March 1993.
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Spain have won seven and drawn one of their last eight meetings with Denmark, including a 1-0 success in the reverse match last month, with Martin Zubimendi deciding the contest in the 79th minute.
Luis de la Fuente's side are top of Group 4 of League A with 10 points, courtesy of a record of three wins and one draw from four matches, and they are already through to the quarter-finals of the competition.
A draw would be enough for them to secure first spot on Friday, but a defeat would throw the group wide open, especially if Serbia were also to overcome Switzerland on the same night.
Spain, who finish their group-stage campaign at home to Switzerland on November 18, are the holders of the Nations League, having triumphed during the 2022-23 completion, beating Croatia in the final.
La Roja also famously won Euro 2024, and they are unbeaten in all competitions since a friendly with Colombia in March, although the national side have not lost a competitive match since a Euro 2024 qualifier with Scotland back in March 2023.
Team News
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New Denmark head coach Riemer has a number of big decisions to make when it comes to his team selection for this match, especially in the final third of the field.
Rasmus Hojlund has only scored twice for Man United this season, but the 21-year-old has seven goals in 20 caps for his country, and he is expected to be given the nod in the final third of the field, covering Kasper Dolberg and Yussuf Poulsen.
Hojlund's club teammate Christian Eriksen is also back from a recent injury and should start, while there could be just a fourth cap for the talented Patrick Dorgu as the left-sided wing-back.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg should be joined by Morten Hjulmand in the middle of midfield, while it is likely that Joachim Andersen, who has been in strong form for Fulham this season, will be introduced into the back three.
As for Spain, Pau Torres has been forced to withdraw from the squad due to a muscular issue, while Unai Simon, Dani Carvajal, Rodri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal are notable absentees for the European champions.
Alvaro Morata had been a doubt due to a head injury which he suffered during a training session with AC Milan, but the captain should start, and he will be bidding to add to his 37 goals for his country.
Nico Williams and Dani Olmo are also in line for spots in the final third of the field, while Pedro Porro is set to feature at right-back.
Alex Grimaldo and Marc Cucurella are going head-to-head for the role at left-back, while Aitor Paredes, Marc Casado and Samu Omorodion will all be hoping to make their first appearances for the national side on Friday night.
Denmark possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Andersen, Vestergaard, Nelsson; Bah, Hjulmand, Hojbjerg, Dorgu; Eriksen, Hojlund, Gronbaek
Spain possible starting lineup:
Raya; Porro, Vivian, Laporte, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Ruiz; Olmo, Pedri, N Williams; Morata
We say: Denmark 1-2 Spain
This a tough match to call, especially with Spain missing some important players, and it would not be a shock to see Denmark pick up a positive result on Friday night. Spain have such quality in the forward areas, though, and we are backing De la Fuente's side to navigate their way to all three points in their penultimate match in the group stage.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
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