Denmark will be aiming to put a heart-breaking World Cup qualifying campaign behind them when they welcome North Macedonia to the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on Thursday night.
Indeed, the Danes led Group C for much of the campaign, but were pipped to the post by Scotland to finish second and try to qualify via the play-offs instead.
North Macedonia actually finished third in Group J behind Belgium and Wales, but qualified for the play-offs via their Nations League performance.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our free expert World Cup qualifying predictions!
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Denmark vs North Macedonia key stats
- Denmark are unbeaten in six home games in all competitions (W4, D2).
- North Macedonia are winless in four matches across all competitions (D3, L1).
- Denmark were the highest scorers in their qualifying group (16).
Denmark vs North Macedonia preview: Danes to deliver on home soil?
| Denmark | vs | North Macedonia |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (World Cup qualifying) | Position | 3rd (World Cup qualifying) |
| 11 | Points | 13 |
| 16 | Goals For | 13 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 10 |
| 3 | Clean Sheets | 4 |
| 3rd | Home Rank | 3rd |
| 1st | Away Rank | 3rd |
Denmark have the chance to qualify for a third successive World Cup finals for the first time ever.
Should they be able to get past North Macedonia on home soil, they will face either Czech Republic or the Republic of Ireland for a space in the finals, albeit that game would be played away from home.
Denmark's last five games have produced over 2.5 goals.
The Danes have gained a solid international reputation in recent years, having reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals and climbed up to 21st in the world rankings.
Nonetheless, the home crowd will be expectant against relative minnows in North Macedonia.
The visitors have never qualified for a World Cup finals before, and rank 45 places below their opponents in the world rankings in 66th.
North Macedonia are winless in three away matches (D1, L2).
However, they have reached this stage on merit, and did well in a qualifying group that also contained Belgium and Wales.
North Macedonia have pulled off shock results before, and will hope to do so again.
Denmark vs North Macedonia form guide & betting tips
| Denmark | vs | North Macedonia |
|---|---|---|
| W-W-W-D-L | Form | W-D-D-D-L |
| 16 | Goals For | 7 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 8 |
| W-D-L | World Cup qualifying form | D-D-L |
Whispers predicts: Denmark 3-1 North Macedonia
Denmark are as short as 1/3 with bookmakers to win, and we feel inclined to follow them here.
However, those odds are simply too short for us to back, and so we can look to combine them with other markets.
Denmark have many key defensive injuries, while Joachim Andersen is suspended, so BTTS - Yes at 5/4 with Betfred appeals to us.
However, they still possess a threat in attack as the top scorers in their qualifying group, while North Macedonia shipped seven goals to Wales in their last outing.
Over 3.5 goals at 9/5 with William Hill is also one we would like to back.
In terms of potential goalscorers, Hojlund was Denmark's top scorer in qualifying, and Rasmus Hojlund to score anytime at 21/20 is also available with William Hill.
Overall, we are predicting a fairly comfortable night for the hosts, and our 3-1 prediction is available at 11/1.
> Rasmus Hojlund to score anytime at 21/20 | Likelihood: Possible
> BTTS - Yes at 5/4 | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 3.5 goals at 9/5 | Likelihood: Possible