Wales and Denmark to finish level in Nations League
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League B Group 4 leaders Wales host second-place Denmark on Friday night. The two nations will battle at the Cardiff City Stadium with the winner taking full control of the group.
Wales have gained six points from nine and cannot be relegated from League B. Meanwhile, Denmark have registered four points from six and can still win the group. The two countries met in September in Aarhus with Denmark winning comfortably thanks to two Christian Eriksen goals.
Wales manager Ryan Giggs will be full of confidence going into Friday’s fixture. The Dragons are coming off of a win in their previous UEFA Nations League match against the Republic of Ireland. Results have been mixed in 2018, however. Wales have won just three of seven matches and those wins came against China and twice versus Ireland. The team's victories didn’t come against the best of competition.
There is bad news for Wales. All-time leading scorer Gareth Bale has suffered another injury. The Welshman picked up an ankle knock playing for Real Madrid and a decision on his inclusion will not be made until Friday. Wales need Bale to play against Denmark if they want to pick up all three points. The Real Madrid superstar has been hot and cold this term. In 11 matches, Bale has tallied three goals and two assists. Defender Chris Mepham has also been withdrawn from the squad due to injury.
Denmark have two games in hand. The Danes can draw with Wales and defeat Ireland in their final group stage match and still gain promotion to League A. If Denmark lose to Wales, however, they could be relegated depending on their result against Ireland. There is a lot for Age Hareide’s team to play for and gaining a draw at the bare minimum is necessary.
The Danes have had a brilliant 2018 and have lost just once. That defeat came in a September friendly against Slovakia. Denmark are a strong team and were one penalty away from making the World Cup quarterfinals. Eriksen is Denmark’s most creative player as he has tallied two of Denmark’s four goals in the competition.
Sportsbooks have the two sides even in terms of betting. They cannot split them despite Wales’ possible injury issues and Denmark’s previous win. Playing at home will help Wales and keep their young players calm. Denmark merely need a point, and most importantly, must avoid defeat. They will play conservatively and Friday night’s match in Cardiff will end in a draw.
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