Denmark vs. Finland Predictions: Finland to score first at +350
Our editor has gone with two ties in the first two games of Euro 2020. He has to back someone to win soon surely, surely...?
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Date: Saturday, June 12.
Kick Off Time: 12PM ET
TV: ESPN
The third game of Euro 2020 is the first time we have a big time favorite and disparity between the two teams in terms of world rankings. Denmark are considered the 10th best team in the world according to FIFA rankings and having qualified for the tournament without losing a single game. Finland on the other hand are ranked as the 54th best side and are set to partake in their first ever tournament.
The Danish squad is full of players soccer fans will have heard of. In goal will be Leicester City keeper Kasper Schmichel and defensively they include players from AC Milan, Valencia, Chelsea and Atalanta.
With the likes of Cristian Eriksen, Thomas Delaney and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg available in their midfield - they can take on most teams. Eriksen has been a quite wonderful player for several years but has dropped off from his high levels since leaving Spurs the best part of 18 months ago.
Martin Braithwaite is expected to lead the line and whilst he does play for Barcelona - that isn’t an indication of his class. With just three goals in La Liga from his 40 appearances, he just isn’t of that level. Yussef Poulsen also has a poor goal scoring record for a striker. So Denmark may have some good defenders and exciting talent in the middle of the park but they lack real quality in the opposition box.
Finland may lack the names of their opposition on Saturday but they make up for it in the form of being extremely tactically sound. Manager Markku Kanerva has done wonders with the side who also managed to top their Nations League Division C group for the 18/19 season.
Teemu Pukki is their talisman with the Norwich City striker set to return to the EPL after a one-year absence from the English top flight. With 26 goals domestically for his club, he’s back in form but his country don’t have to rely on him as much as they once did following the emergence of 23 year-old Fredrik Jensen. The Augsburg winger has already scored seven goals in 16 international matches and has added a real dangerous element to their forward play.
Picks: Denmark are -255 to win and for me - despite playing at home - that is just too short. Finland are not going to suffer from stage fright so I’m plumbing for the tie (+325).
As a prop I like the idea of Finland (+350) to score the first goal in the game. I just feel they’ll come out and play with a lot of freedom early.
