We continue our countdown to the World Cup with the next mini-preview in our series.
With 23 days to go until Russia 2018 starts, we turn our attention to Denmark having first looked into France and Australia in Group C.
The Danes finished in second in Group E of European qualifying, with Poland landing top spot as they earned 25 points of a possible 30, but having picked up 20 points, Denmark earned their shot at the World Cup via the playoffs and brushed Republic of Ireland to one side with ease.
Having crashed out at the group stages of South Africa 2010, Denmark will be looking to make it to at least the knockout stages next month and after being handed a favourable draw, should be confident of securing a spot in the last-16 for just the third time in their history. While perhaps unlikely to progress as group winners, with tournament favourites France set to top Group C, Denmark can expect to secure a spot in the next round at Australia and Peru’s expense.
All eyes in Age Hareide's side will be on Tottenham star Christian Eriksen this summer, who comes into the World Cup on the back of another superb season for the north London side. The 26-year-old was one of only 14 players to register double figures for goals (10) and assists (10) in Europe’s top five leagues this season and, as such, Eriksen gained a WhoScored.com rating of 7.40.
He’s expected to avoid the squad cut when Hareide trims his squad to 23 before the World Cup kicks off and understandably so. Eriksen is without a doubt one of the Premier League’s star performers and having played such an influential role in the 5-1 win over Ireland – he scored a hat-trick to earn the WhoScored.com man of the match award – Denmark will look to their creative hub to both score and provide the ammunition in Russia.
One of those hoping to profit from Eriksen’s defence splitting passes is Celta Vigo star Pione Sisto, who provided one of the assists for the former’s trio of goals against Ireland. 23-year-old Sisto was in fine form for Celta this season as he scored five and registered nine assists as he maximised his speed and ever developing end product to great effect down the left.
Denmark will hope he can bring that form to Russia now in their quest for success on the grand stage. Having completed the fifth most dribbles (75) in La Liga this season, Denmark will hope to have Sisto left one-on-one with opposing full-backs and considering his attacking input this season, he’ll likely be a key man for The Red-White this summer. If Denmark’s attacking personnel can quickly strike up an understanding in Russia, then one suspects they’ll do well at the World Cup.
