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In an eagerly anticipated encounter, Sports Mole sheds light on Saturday’s World Cup qualifier, where Denmark takes on Belarus. With predictions, team news, and possible lineups, here’s everything you need to know.
With their sights set firmly on securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Denmark welcomes the already-eliminated Belarus to Parken Stadium this Saturday for a crucial Group C clash.
Match Preview
Denmark has positioned itself strongly in the race for a third consecutive World Cup appearance, with an impressive tally of 10 points from their first four Group C matches. They’ve netted 12 goals while conceding just one, showcasing their dominance in the qualifying rounds.
Currently riding a six-match unbeaten streak in all competitions since March (W5 D1), the Danes followed up their previous victory over Belarus with a solid 3-1 win against Greece last month. Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Joachim Andersen, and Mikkel Damsgaard propelled the hosts to yet another satisfying victory.
With just goal difference separating them from Scotland at the top of Group C, head coach Brian Riemer knows that a win against Belarus will keep them on track. Should they emerge victorious, a draw on Tuesday at Hampden Park would secure their spot in the World Cup.
Ranked 20th globally by FIFA, Denmark boasts an unbeaten record against Belarus (W2 D1) and has been formidable at home since the last World Cup, winning 14 out of 17 matches (D2 L1) in all competitions. This home advantage certainly seems to favor them as they prepare for Saturday’s showdown.
In stark contrast, Belarus’s World Cup ambitions have been dashed. They are one of only six European nations yet to register a point in this qualifying campaign and seem destined to finish at the bottom of Group C, sitting three points shy of Greece in third.
Despite starting the year strong with three wins in four friendlies and scoring 12 goals, the White Wings have stumbled in qualifying, suffering four consecutive defeats with a total score of 15-2 against them. Their last encounter, a close 2-1 loss to Scotland—where they had 20 shots on goal—highlights their struggles.
Under the management of Carlos Alos, Belarus has recently fallen to 103rd in the FIFA World Rankings, marking a prolonged struggle in World Cup qualifying with 11 straight losses since a 4-2 victory against Estonia in March 2021.
The team has also found away games challenging, winning just twice in their last 13 international outings (D4 L7) and will face Denmark as significant underdogs, having yet to find the net in their three previous encounters with the Danes.
Denmark World Cup qualifying form:
Denmark form (all competitions):
Belarus World Cup qualifying form:
Belarus form (all competitions):
Team News
Denmark will be without strikers Will Osula and Yussuf Poulsen, both sidelined with injuries, as well as Wolfsburg full-back Joakim Maehle. However, Rasmus Kristensen rejoins the squad after an injury layoff, joined by the likes of Philip Billing and Victor Nelsson, alongside Stuttgart’s Nikolas Nartey, who is set to make his senior debut.
Leading the charge for Denmark, Hojlund has recently shone with a team-high four goals in his past three World Cup qualifiers. He’s expected to spearhead the attack, complemented by experienced players like captain Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg, Andreas Christensen, and the esteemed Christian Eriksen.
Belarus, on the other hand, has significantly reshuffled its squad, leaving out 10 players from the October call-up, including veteran defender Alyaksandr Martynovich and midfielder Yury Kavalyow.
Among those selected, forward Vitaly Lisakovich has netted seven goals for Belarus—more than any other player in the current squad—and is likely to be pivotal in their attacking strategy, possibly partnering with fellow forward Barkovsky.
Denmark possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Christiansen, Andersen, Vestergaard; Isaksen, Hojbjerg, Hjulmand, Dorgu; Damsgaard, Eriksen; Hojlund
Belarus possible starting lineup:
Pavlyuchenko; Parkhomenko, Malkevich, Zabelin; Pigas, Ebong, Gromyko, Yablonsky, Pyachenin; Barkovsky, Lisakovich
Our Prediction: Denmark 4-0 Belarus
If Denmark can replicate their impressive performance from the previous encounter, the match this weekend appears set to tilt firmly in their favor. With a significantly stronger squad facing a defensively vulnerable opponent, the Danes seem poised to secure yet another three points.
For data analysis on the most likely outcomes, scorelines, and more details about this match, please click here.
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