UEFA Croatia vs Denmark Odds: Who Gets the Best of the Middle Weights?
First Place in Group 1 On the Line
Clash of Overachievers as Croatia Host Denmark
The top two teams in UEFA Nations League A, Group 1 meet as Croatia hosts Denmark on Thursday. They’re also both dark horses to win this year’s World Cup and have some exciting talents. Should Denmark win, they’ll clinch Group 1 and advance to 2023’s UEFA Nations League finals. If Croatia wins, they’ll be in the driver’s seat in the group heading into their final match, vs Austria. Let’s check the UEFA Croatia vs Denmark odds and preview what should be an entertaining match.
UEFA Nations League – Croatia vs Denmark Game Info:
- Location: Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia
- Date & Time:
Head-to-Head
Croatia handed Denmark their only loss of the UEFA Nations League so far back in June. Mario Pasalic scored the game’s only goal for Croatia’s third consecutive victory over the Danes. Croatia defeated Denmark in penalties in the 2018 World Cup round of 16, the only other recent meeting. The UEFA Croatia vs Denmark odds implies this will be another close one, as it’s listed as a pick’em.
Croatia Struggling to Score
- UEFA Nations League Standings: 2-1-1, 2nd (Group 1)
If you’re wondering, yes, Luka Modric still plays for Croatia. The 37-year-old Real Madrid star midfielder is aging like a fine wine and captains the Vatreni. Modric Croatia did well in June, with two wins, a draw, and a loss. They’re only one point behind leaders Denmark and have kept the shutout in consecutive matches.
The offense has been an issue for Croatia as they’ve only scored three goals in four matches. The days of Mario Mandzukic up top are long gone and they’ve struggled to find a replacement. Plus, AC Milan’s Ante Rebic is out with an injury for the remaining games on the UEFA Nations League schedule. Following the Denmark match, Croatia takes on Austria on Sunday in Vienna.
Croatia’s defense deserves some credit for shutting out France and Denmark in June. Zlatko Dalic made some adjustments and trotted out a back four of Josip Juranović, Josip Sutalo, Martin Erlic, and Sime Vrsaljko. Vrsaljko retired internationally but Bayern Munich defender Josip Stanisic can slot in. Dalic also has one of the most wanted young defenders in Europe, Josko Gvardiol, at his disposal.
Denmark Still Flying Under the Radar
- UEFA Nations League Standings: 3-1, 1st (Group 1)
Denmark’s run to the UEFA Euro 2020 semifinals was a big surprise, especially after they lost Christian Eriksen for the tournament. Since then, they’ve quietly been one of the most consistent teams in Europe. They easily qualified for the World Cup by winning nine of their ten qualifying matches. Now, they’re in first place in their UEFA Nations League group and are a win away from the semifinals.
Those wanting to bet on Denmark UEFA matches should know that they’re 3-1 SU and ATS so far. They’re also yet to concede more than one goal in a match in the Nations League but have injuries in attacking areas. Forwards Andreas Cornelius, Robert Skov, and Jonas Wind are all out, along with midfielder Christian Norgaard. Cornelius and Wind account for three of Denmark’s six goals in the competition so far.
Still, this is a deep team that has a solid midfield. Eriksen and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are high-level players in the center of the park. Plus, Denmark finally is getting back captain Simon Kjaer. The AC Milan defender was out for an extended period of time after tearing his ACL.
Odds & Preview
The UEFA Croatia vs Denmark odds price Croatia as slight favorites in this matchup. As a pick’em, Croatia can be had at -140, while Denmark shows +110 odds. Croatia SU sits at +150, while the Danes are showing +210 odds currently. A draw, which has happened two of the seven times these teams have played, is priced at +215 odds.
This is usually a tight matchup, with the last four matches being decided by a single goal or ending in a draw. The only two recent meetings have finished with two or fewer goals. However, over two goals sit at -150 odds for Thursday’s match.
Interestingly, Croatia is still winless on home soil during the UEFA Nations League. They lost 3-0 to Austria and drew 1-1 with France. Meanwhile, Denmark has won both of their road matches thus far. Croatia is also winless in two previous home matches vs Denmark, which were both in the 90s.
Expect Denmark to be seriously motivated to wrap up group proceedings in this match. Know this, Croatia won’t go down without a fight and would certainly like to avoid the embarrassment of going winless at home.
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