England v Denmark Tips: Southgate's soldiers to march on in the Nations League

After beating the number one ranked side in world football in Belgium at the weekend, England face Denmark in their third and final game of October's International break. The match is one of 20 in the UEFA Nations League on Wednesday evening with the Three Lions being shown live on Sky Sports Main Event at 19:45.

On the team news front, both Ben Chilwell and Kieran Trippier have withdrawn from the squad which could lead to a competitive debut for Bukayo Saka at left wing-back. England rejected Tottenham’s request to withdraw Harry Kane from the squad, however it is highly unlikely that Southgate will start the 27-year-old if he is not 100% fit. Conor Coady could be recalled into a back three with a potential start also for Reece James inplace of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Having a look at the match prices for the game and England are the 7/10 favourites with most bookmakers to take three points and remain top of the group. The draw is available to be backed at 11/4 with an away win for Denmark priced at 4/1 - an implied 20% chance of victory.

I hit the bar with my 54/1 shot in the England game on Sunday, landing three out of four elements involved. I’ve picked out three more football tips I like the look of for the game which can hopefully end the International break on a high. 

England Win & under 3.5 goals - 2pts @ 11/8 Skybet, 5/4 Paddy Power

Bukayo Saka to be carded - 0.5pts @ 15/2 Paddy Power / Betfair

Rashford & Eriksen 1+ shot on target, Rice & Hojbjerg to be carded - 0.25pts @ 90/1 Paddy Power

The first in a trio of selections for Wednesday, is England to win and under 3.5 goals in the match. The Three Lions put in a gritty performance against Belgium on Sunday. They were much improved in the second half and swarmed the opposition at every chance they could. If we play like that against Denmark I think we should win Wednesday’s game comfortably. 

However it’s never normally as simple as that with England and the Danes can be particularly stubborn. When the two sides met in Copenhagen just over a month ago they played out a 0-0 draw with Denmark only having lost once since September 2018. Without Raheem Sterling and potentially Harry Kane, I don’t think England will have the potency we have seen in the past in front of goal and to me England to win and under 3.5 goals at 11/8 looks the correct play.

For my next selection I’m dipping my toe into the ‘to be carded’ market and have opted for Bukayo Saka to pick up a card on his competitive debut. Saka is expected to come into the starting eleven due to the withdrawals of both Ben Chilwell and Kieran Trippier. A place at left wing-back looks destined for the Arsenal youngster and he will have a lot of ground to cover in helping to support Marcus Rashford in attack as well as marking Yussuf Poulson.

Poulson of Red Bull Leipzig registered 11 goal contributions in just 12 games in the Bundesliga last season and Saka will have to be vigilant. Cards are no stranger to the 19-year-old as he picked up six in the Premier League last term in just 26 appearances. Referee Jesus Gil Mazano will also be officiating and he’s dished out ten yellows and a red over his most recent two games. William Hill have this same selection at 5/1 which gives appeal to the 15/2 on offer from both Betfair and Paddy Power.

Moving onto my longshot for the evening and at 90/1 I’ve picked out Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen to have a shot on target, with both Declan Rice and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to be carded with Paddy Power.

Marcus Rashford was on target from the penalty spot against Belgium on Sunday scoring his eleventh international goal. With the potential absence of Harry Kane from the starting line up on the cards again, I expect Rashford to continue on duty from twelve yards. Rashford averaged 1.3 shots on target per game for Manchester United last season and he looks a fair price to have one against Denmark.

For Belgium I’ve opted for Christian Eriksen to have one or more shots on target in the game. The former Spurs midfielder has the highest shots per game average of anyone in his squad over the three UEFA Nations League fixtures so far. He landed two on target against Iceland and he looks a nice proposition at 10/11 to register one against England. 

Onto the bookings and the first player I’ve picked out to pick up a card off referee Jesus Gil Mazano is Declan Rice. The 21-year-old was booked on six occasions for West Ham last season and he also picked up a yellow against Belgium on Sunday. With Rice playing in the centre of the park I feel he has more chance of picking up a card. When you consider he is a bigger price than Jordan Henderson who only had two yellow cards last season, he makes plenty of appeal here. 

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg appears to have settled into life under Jose Mourinho at Spurs fairly well, with the Dane putting in some solid performances from midfield. The 25-year-old has already been booked for club and country this season and I fancy him to pick up another against Gareth Southgate’s side. Best of luck to those following the selections, please always gamble responsibly.