Denmark vs. France: UEFA Nations League Preview, Matchday 6, 2022

An exciting final evening of action in Group 1 of League A in the UEFA Nations League has all teams battling for either the crucial top or bottom spots in the group.

Denmark vs. France: UEFA Nations League Preview, Matchday 6, 2022
dimreb
By Dima Rebrov

Unexpectedly, France find themselves in real danger of relegation from the top tier of the UEFA Nations League. They will travel to Copenhagen needing a win, in order to preserve their status in League A.

Denmark, on the other hand, will enter the deciding fixture with their hopes of winning the group still intact. Even after a defeat in their crucial clash with Croatia - who now top Group 1, they already have second place sown up, as a minimum.

Both teams will be keeping a close eye on the other fixture in the group, which will be played at the same time. Austria - one point behind France in the table, require a win to have a chance at overtaking them. France's head-to-head superiority over Austria means that Didier Deschamps' squad can afford to finish level on points with Austria and remain in third place. 

Similarly, it is also a single point which separates Denmark and Croatia - the teams battling it out for top spot. Since the head-to-head record of the two teams stands at one win each, goal difference would have Denmark ahead in the table, should they end level on points. Therefore, Denmark will be needing to simply better Croatia's result tomorrow evening.

These permutations set up a potentially thrilling final evening of action in Group 1 of League 1, at both ends of the group table.

These two teams also met in the opening match of their UNL campaigns, with the Danes picking up an unexpected 2-1 win at Stade de France. Andreas Corenlius' double strike was an emphatic response to Karim Benzema opening the score, leading to Denmark's impressive comeback victory. 

Team News

Denmark

Photo by Lars Ronbog / FrontZoneSport via Getty Images
Photo by Lars Ronbog / FrontZoneSport via Getty Images

Jesper Lindstrom seems to be ready for a return to the squad, after being forced to miss the game in Croatia, due to illness.

The squad seems to have not picked up any new injuries from that last fixture, with any changes made by Kasper Hjulmand in the starting 11 expected to be tactical, rather than enforced.

These changes may feature the inclusions of Mikkel Damsgaard, Kasper Dolberg and Rasmus Kristensen, in place of Andreas Skov Olsen, Martin Braithwaite and Daniel Wass

The other eight starters should retain their place and it would represent a strong Danish team, tomorrow night. 

France

Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images
Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images

Things are a lot more complicated for tomorrow's visitors. A whole raft of absentees, including Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Kingsley Coman, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimbembe, Hugo Lloris, Paul Pogba and may others, have meant that Deschamps has had to dig deep into France's large national pool of talent.

To add to this, Jules Kounde and Mike Maignan were forced off by injuries, during their previous win, against Austria. They were replaced by the Premier League's William Saliba and Alphonse Areola, who would now expect to retain their places. 

Even with all these issues, the France squad remains a strong one. The likes of Christopher Nkunku, Ousmane Dembele and Eduardo Camavinga are more than capable alternative options.

Predicted Lineups

Denmark

Schmeichel; Andersen, Kjær, Christensen; Kristensen, Højbjerg, Delaney, Mæhle; Damsgaard, Eriksen; Dolberg.

France 

Areola; Saliba, Varane, Badiashile; Clauss, Tchouameni, Fofana, Mendy; Griezmann; Giroud, Mbappe.

Key Players

Denmark - Christian Eriksen

Photo by Goran Stanzl/Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Goran Stanzl/Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images

Manchester United's summer signing has made an impressive start to his stint at Old Trafford.

On Friday, he was announced by his club as their player of the month for September. The midfielder picked up two assists in their four games, with his most notable performance coming in the crucial game against Arsenal.

The 30-year-old has comfortably passed the 100 appearance mark for Denmark. Currently sitting at 116 caps, in which he has scored an impressive 39 goals, he is undoubtedly a crucial cog in Hjulmand's machine. 

Eriksen scored his 39th international goal on Thursday, only for his late equaliser to be swiftly undone by Lovro Majer's response, just two minutes after.

France - Kylian Mbappe

Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

From one man who got on the scoresheet, on Thursday evening, to another. Mbappe's goal against Austria was, remarkably, his 11th of this season. 

The 23-year-old forward requires no introduction. The centre of world football's largest summer transfer saga, which has culminated in his stay at PSG, continues to show off his incredible talent.

Complimented by the experienced Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud in the forward line, Mbappe will, as always, be the man to keep an eye on.

Match Details

Where is the game being played?

Parken, the home of Kobenhavn and the Danish national team, will host this fixture.

What time is kick-off?

The match is scheduled to kick-off at 19:45 BST, on Thursday evening.

How can I watch?

The game is scheduled to be broadcasted in the U.K. on BoxNation.