Denmark and Northern Ireland go head-to-head in an international friendly in Copenhagen this Saturday, in preparation for the start of their World Cup qualifying campaigns in September.
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Denmark vs Northern Ireland prediction: Routine home win on the cards
Key stats
- Denmark are ranked 50 places higher than Northern Ireland in the FIFA World Rankings.
- Northern Ireland won their UEFA Nations League group last autumn, but failed to win any of their away matches.
- Denmark have won 18 of their last 21 internationals played on home soil.
Correct score prediction: Denmark 2-0 Northern Ireland
The gulf in class between the nations is evident in the World Rankings, and their placing in the Nations League, where Denmark competed in League A in the autumn, while the Green Army were down in League C, and a repeat of the home win the Danes enjoyed over Northern Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifying looks likely.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookmakers favour Denmark
- HOME: 1/3 (1.33) – 75.0%
- DRAW: 17/4 (5.25) – 19.0%
- AWAY: 17/2 (9.50) – 10.5%
Based on the odds, there can only be one winner here, with Denmark given an implied probability of 75% to win this fixture on Saturday.
There is added value in Denmark winning to nil, priced at Evens, considering how much Northern Ireland have struggled in front of goal on their travels of late.
For more predictions on the weekend’s football, take a look at our football betting tips page.
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Most recent H2Hs: Denmark not strong in this fixture
Despite vastly superior resources and ability, Denmark have been relatively weak in this fixture during the 21st century, winning just one of the six meetings, but the most recent did come in a dead rubber in Euro 2024 qualifying where the Danes were not at 100%.
Euro 2023 Qualifying 20/11/23
Northern Ireland
Denmark
Euro 2023 Qualifying 16/06/23
Denmark
Northern Ireland
Denmark preview: Many absentees for this friendly
Manager Brian Riemer will be without a number of the players who were in his squad for the Nations League quarter-final defeat to Portugal back in March, where Denmark were just four minutes from progressing.
Jesper Lindstrom, Jonas Wind, Andreas Skov Olsen, Morten Frendrup, Victor Nelsson and Victor Kristiansen are all missing, as well as goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, so Kasper Schmeichel is set to keep his place, despite a poor performance in the second leg versus Portugal.
Predicted lineup: Schmeichel (GK), Kristensen, Vestergaard, Andersen, Maehle, Hojbjerg, Eriksen, Hjulmand, Dorgu, Hojlund & Biereth
UEFA Nations League 23/03/25
L
Portugal
5
Denmark
2
UEFA Nations League 20/03/25
W
Portugal
0
Denmark
1
UEFA Nations League A 18/11/24
D
Serbia
0
Denmark
0
UEFA Nations League A 15/11/24
L
Spain
2
Denmark
1
UEFA Nations League A 15/10/24
D
Switzerland
2
Denmark
2
Northern Ireland preview: Excitement ahead of new era
The return of Michael O'Neill as manager has given Northern Ireland a lift, and that was evident in their confident Nations League campaign in the autumn, but the jury is still out about their ability to compete at the highest level, especially with a young squad.
Predicted lineups: P Charles (GK), Ballard, McNair, Hume, Bradley, Devenney, S Charles, Saville, Smyth, Price, D Charles
International Match 25/03/25
L
Sweden
5
Northern Ireland
1
International Match 21/03/25
D
Switzerland
1
Northern Ireland
1
UEFA Nations League C 18/11/24
D
Luxembourg
2
Northern Ireland
2
UEFA Nations League C 15/11/24
W
Belarus
0
Northern Ireland
2
UEFA Nations League C 15/10/24
W
Bulgaria
0
Northern Ireland
5
Player to watch: Mika Biereth
With a number of attackers out injured, and Rasmus Hojlund currently out form, this fixture provides the perfect chance for Biereth to make his mark in the Denmark team.
After joining Monaco in January, Biereth scored 13 goals in 16 Ligue 1 games, which included a run of three hat tricks in three successive home league games.