Preview: Denmark vs. Kazakhstan - prediction, team news, lineups

Denmark and Kazakhstan square off in Copenhagen on Saturday looking to gain what may prove to be a decisive victory in their Euro 2024 qualifying group.

The top four teams in Group H are separated by just the one point - as are Denmark and Kazakhstan - and this could be one of the most important fixtures remaining of their respective campaigns.

Match preview

© Reuters

When the qualifying draw was made, Denmark would have felt that they had been handed one of the more favourable selections with no European giant present in Group H.

However, the Scandinavian nation are making hard work of finishing in the top two, only drawing 1-1 in Slovenia after they had already lost 3-2 in the reverse fixture with Kazakhstan.

The latter result is one of the standout scorelines of the entire campaign, with Kazakhstan coming from 2-0 down with 20 minutes to go to record one of the greatest wins in their history.

Kasper Hjulmand's side have since put together a four-game undefeated streak, yet their 1-0 victories over Northern Ireland and Finland came with a close VAR call in their favour and a late winner in the latter from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

That effort from the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder moved Denmark one point ahead of Finland and into second position, but they remain off top spot courtesy of Slovenia having scored one goal more than them across their six matches.

© Reuters

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan are bidding to qualify for a major tournament for the first time ever, helped by already having a playoff spot in the bag courtesy of their performances in the UEFA Nations League.

As it stands, 12 points have been accumulated from six games, including the aforementioned triumph over Denmark in March, and four wins have been registered in five outings.

Although they scraped a 1-0 success at home to Northern Ireland last time out, Magomed Adiyev will be ruing the 1-0 defeat to Finland that preceded that encounter.

Aside from a home fixture with minnows San Marino, Kazakhstan face each of their direct rivals away from home, yet they may relish that challenge, aware of the possible rewards if they can collect a minimum of four points from the triple-header in Denmark, Finland and Slovenia.

Team News

© Reuters

With Andreas Skov Olsen a late withdrawal through injury, Hjulmand will have to make a change on the right flank, potentially introducing Robert Skov in his place.

Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund is back to full fitness and is pushing to replace Jonas Wind down the centre of the Denmark attack.

Barring any further injury issues, the rest of the team may stay the same unless the experienced Yussuf Poulsen is drafted into the side.

Adiyev may make just the one change to his Kazakhstan starting lineup if he sticks with the 3-4-2-1 formation from the Northern Ireland game.

The more defensive-minded Timur Dosmagambetov could be used at left wing-back ahead of Yan Vorogovsky, although Abat Aymbetov is an option in the final third.

Denmark possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Kristensen, Christensen, Andersen, Maehle; Norgaard, Hojbjerg; Skov, Eriksen, Lindstrom; Hojlund

Kazakhstan possible starting lineup:
Shatskiy; Bystrov, Alip, Marochkin; Tapalov, Tagybergen, Beysebekov, Dosmagambetov; Zaynutdinov, Orazov; Samorodov

We say: Denmark 2-0 Kazakhstan

Given the unpredictability of this group, there is a feeling that anything can happen in this fixture. Kazakhstan have won twice on their travels, yet they have not faced anyone of Denmark's quality and they could come up short on this occasion.

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

Previews by email