Preview: Denmark Women vs. China PR Women - prediction, team news, lineups

In their first match of the Women's World Cup 2023, Denmark Women will go up against China PR Women at the Perth Rectangular Stadium.

While Denmark are appearing at the World Cup for the first time since 2007, China are attending the tournament for a third consecutive time.

Match preview

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After a 16-year absence, Denmark will finally return to the world stage after making light work of their qualifying campaign.

They scored 40 goals and conceded just twice to win all eight of their qualifying games, ensuring that they will make their fifth World Cup appearance.

After failing to make it out of the group stage in their two appearances at the tournament, Denmark are hoping to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since 1995.

In addition to China, Denmark's group contains European champions England and Haiti, who are making their Women's World Cup debut.

After a run of four consecutive victories was brought to an end with a 2-0 defeat to Spain in their final warm-up game, Lars Sondergaard's side will be looking to return to winning ways on Saturday.

China, meanwhile, are preparing to make their eighth World Cup appearance after securing qualification with a successful performance at the 2022 Asian Cup.

After easing through the group stage, China claimed a 3-1 quarter-final victory over Vietnam to advance to the semi-finals and seal their place at the World Cup.

With qualification assured, China went on to beat Japan and South Korea to lift the Asian Cup for the ninth time in their history.

Having reached the knockout rounds in their previous seven World Cup appearances, the 1999 runners-up will be hoping to continue that impressive record in Australia and New Zealand.

China will also be looking to win their opening game for the first time since 2007 after beginning with defeats in their last two World Cup campaigns.

Team News

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Stine Ballisager is expected to start in the centre of Denmark's defence alongside Simone Boye, with Rikke Sevecke and Katrine Veje set to operate as the two full-backs.

Denmark's forward line will have to cope without Hacken striker Stine Larsen, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April.

Pernille Harder, who joined Bayern Munich from Chelsea this summer, may have to take on additional responsibility in Larsen's absence, and the 30-year-old could be joined in the front three by Janni Thomsen and Nicoline Sorensen.

As for China, they will line up with Xu Huan in goal, and she could be protected by the central defensive pairing of Dou Jiaxing and Yao Wei.

Zhang Rui and Yao Lingwei are expected to feature in the middle of the park, while Wang Shuang and Zhang Linyan are likely to operate as the two wingers.

Having scored over 50 goals for her country, captain Wang Shanshan will be hoping to make a positive impact when she features up front against Denmark.

Denmark Women possible starting lineup:
Christensen; Sevecke, Ballisager, Boye, Veje; Hasbo, Holmgaard, Kuhl; Thomsen, Sorensen, Harder

China PR Women possible starting lineup:
Huan; Mengwen, Jiaxing, Wei, Qiaozhu; Shuang, Rui, Lingwei, Linyan; Shanshan, Jiahui

We say: Denmark Women 1-1 China PR Women

With only one place separating Denmark and China in the FIFA World Rankings, we expect Saturday's encounter to be a cagey affair, and we think that both countries may have to be content with a share of the spoils.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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