Euro 2024: Munich Hosts Winner-Takes-All

Denmark vs Serbia

So, it comes down to this.

It’s highly unlikely Denmark and Serbia will both qualify for the knockout stages of Euro 2024 so a win is essential in Munich on Tuesday night.

A draw would likely leave the Danes, semi-finalists three years ago, in pole position, yet there is a feeling that the Serbs have more to show this competition.

With such high stakes, a tense, combative encounter, and one which could well deliver Euro 2024 highlights, seems a given.

 

Talking Points

Serbia may well have the bit between their teeth after they were given a lifeline in their group game with Slovenia.

That was when Luka Jovic netted a 95th-minute equaliser to secure a last-gasp draw.

Full-back Zan Karnicnik had earlier slotted home a low cross from close range to put the Slovenians on the verge of a first Euros win, which would have pushed Serbia to the brink of elimination.

But former Real Madrid striker Jovic rescued his country with a near-post flicked header from a corner to spark Serbian joy in Munich.

They now know that victory against Denmark will almost certainly bring a first knockout place in their country’s existing form.

Remember, they have a frontline pairing which could trouble any backline the world over.

Their main man is the prolific Aleksandar Mitrovic but they also have Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic. That is if manager Dragan Stojkovic opts for a duo to spearhead the attack.

There are also the likes of now veteran Dusan Tadic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the ranks who can change a game at any moment.

As a player, Stojkovic was a ‘national treasure’ leading a thrilling new generation. The former midfield conductor is now under significantly more scrutiny but victory in this contest will ease some of that.

While they have more game-changers than Denmark in many ways, the Scandinavians, who have an impressive manager in Kasper Hjulmand, are due a visit from ‘lady luck’.

Remember, Hjulmand’s team were harshly done to at this tournament three years ago, losing to a penalty which shouldn’t have been awarded in the semi-finals.

Yes they have certain players – Kasper Schmeichel, Christian Eriksen, Thomas Delaney and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg among them – who are no longer at the peaks of their powers.

But as they have shown in both their games so far – 1-1 draws with Slovenia and England – they have character and strong leaders, including in a rearguard which includes Andreas Christensen, Joachim Andersen, Victor Nelsson and 131-cap Simon Kjaer.

Andersen has been mightily impressive for Crystal Palace over the past two seasons, while Christensen has been lauded for his anticipation, technique and composure.

There’s also Leicester City’s Victor Kristiansen who, while at fault for England’s goal on Thursday, is coming off the back of a campaign on loan at Bologna where he helped the Serie A side qualify for the Champions League.

Two evenly matched nations but only one is likely to emerge with a place in the last 16.

 

History

There’s only been three meetings between these countries and all of them have gone the way of Denmark.

A friendly in Match 2022 went the way of Denmark as they hit three without reply – Joakim Maehle, Jesper Lindstrøm and Christian Eriksen the marksmen.

The other two were qualifiers for Euro 2016.

A Nicklas Bendtner double and a Simon Kjaer goal, all in the final half hour, secured a 3-1 victory in Belgrade after former Man Utd youngster Zoran Tosic had given Serbia, then managed by Dick Advocaat, an early lead.

Seven months later, Serbia had a new manager but the outcome was the same as Yussuf Poulsen and Jakob Poulsen netted in each half in a 2-0 Danish win.

 

Betting Tip

The Danes have a slight edge with the Sbotop Euro 2024 betting odds but it’s mighty close.

For example, 1X2 odds price Denmark @ 2.37 and Serbia @ 2.76.

It’s similar with Asian Handicap odds with the Scandinavians available -0.25 @ 2.12 and Serbia +0.25 @ 1.79.

First half options leave a slightly wider gap with Denmark on offer First Half 1X2 @ 2.37 and First Half Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 1.79, contrasting with the Serbians @ 3.34 and 0.00 @ 2.09 respectively.

I do think this will be a lot closer than their most recent meeting – Correct Score 3-0 will pay out @ 28.00 – with goal bets ranging from over 2.50 @ 2.03 to total goal 0-1 @ 3.15, 2-3 @ 1.90 and 4-6 @ 3.52.

This is such an important fixture for both nations and I think it will end up level pegging which will help the Danes far more than Serbia.

   

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