Prediction: Denmark vs Serbia

Verdict: Denmark win to nil

Best odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: BetUS

Denmark will host Serbia at Parken Stadium on Sunday for their second UEFA Nations League match, following solid performances from both teams on matchday one.

With both sides eager to build on their initial success, the group is shaping up to be more competitive than anticipated. Denmark will look to make their home advantage count, while Serbia obviously hope to prevent that from happening.

Denmark

Denmark and Serbia enter their second Nations League fixture on Sunday, both coming off crucial performances in what has turned out to be a highly competitive League A Group 4. Denmark secured a 2-0 victory over Switzerland under interim coach Lars Knudsen, setting the tone for their campaign despite the ongoing search for Kasper Hjulmand’s long-term successor.

Serbia, meanwhile, held reigning champions Spain to a 0-0 draw, a result that reinforces their determination to compete at the highest level under Dragan Stojkovic.

Denmark’s solid display against Switzerland was a much-needed boost after their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, where they struggled in the group stage and were knocked out by hosts Germany. The Danes will now look to build on their early momentum as they aim for another top-two finish in League A, which could see them advance to the newly expanded quarterfinal format.

Team News

Denmark lost two of their most influential players, Simon Kjaer and Thomas Delaney, after Euro 2024 as both announced their international retirement. These departures, combined with injuries throughout the squad, opened the door for young talents to step up. One such player was Patrick Dorgu, who had a dream debut, scoring just a minute after coming on against Switzerland.

With Joakim Maehle and Rasmus Hojlund sidelined due to injuries, Albert Gronbaek made his debut in attack against the Swiss. He now faces competition for a starting spot from Dorgu and Gustav Isaksen against Serbia.

Denmark’s midfield has also seen changes due to injuries. Matt O’Riley had to withdraw from the squad, and his initial replacement, Maurits Kjaergaard, also pulled out. Brentford’s Mathias Jensen was then called up to add depth in the middle of the park.

Serbia

Serbia’s draw with Spain showed resilience and tactical discipline, even with a rotated squad.

While that was a positive result, they still need to improve significantly. They won just two of their last 10 matches, continuing the disappointing form that saw them exit Euro 2024 at the group stage with only two points. Their shaky performances in Germany mirrored their inconsistent qualifying campaign, where they narrowly secured second place, edging out neighbors Montenegro.

However, the Nations League has brought out the best in Serbia under coach Dragan Stojkovic. In 2022, they earned promotion to League A for the first time, bouncing back from an opening defeat to Norway by collecting 13 points from the next 15 available to secure their spot in the top tier at Norway’s expense.

Across all Nations League editions, the Serbs have lost just three of their 19 matches, demonstrating their strength in this competition. However, with tougher competition in League A, they are considered favorites for relegation back to League B, despite their promising start against Spain. This campaign will test their ability to compete at a higher level, and they must find more consistency to avoid dropping back down.

Team News

Serbia’s squad has undergone a major transformation since Euro 2024, with several key players absent. Veteran playmaker Dusan Tadic has retired from international football, while stars like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dušan Vlahovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Filip Kostic are also missing from the current roster.

Mijat Gacinovic has been left out by Stojkovic, while Milos Veljkovic and Nemanja Maksimovic are sidelined due to injury. In total, 11 players from the Euros squad have been dropped, reflecting the significant changes.

Despite these absences, the experienced duo of Andrija Živkovic and Sasa Lukic both earned their 50th caps in the recent draw against Spain. Additionally, the squad features fresh talent, with Jan-Carlo Simic, Kosta Nedeljkovic, and Kristijan Belic making their international debuts, potentially marking the start of a new era for Serbian football.

Conclusion

Without the likes of Mitrovic and Vlahovic, Serbia aren’t very likely to pose much of a threat for the home side, and their back line, though obviously well-organized and very resilient, isn’t very likely to hold out for another 90 minutes under pressure.

Denmark should be able to take advantage of the situation, though there shouldn’t be more than a goal or two all told.

Verdict: Denmark win to nil

Best odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: BetUS