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Match preview
Against all odds, Australia sit second in Group D, with their destiny in their own hands.
The Socceroos played 20 qualifiers just to get here, ousting Peru on penalties in the inter-confederation play-offs, so very little was expected of them.
This feeling was then emphasised when Graham Arnold’s team were hammered 4-1 by France in their opener.
But then, on Saturday, Australia ended their 12-year wait for a World Cup win, beating Tunisia 1-0 in Al Wakrah.
Mitch Duke’s header the difference, expertly flicking the ball home after Riley McGree’s cross took numerous deflections.
This is just Australia’s third World Cup victory, and their first clean sheet at the tournament since a goalless draw with Chile in 1974.
Denmark meantime came into this tournament with sky-high expectations, but now must win to avoid an ignominious exit.
De Rød-Hvide were beaten 2-1 by France on Saturday; Andreas Christensen’s stooping header had seemingly snatched a point, only for les Bleus to win it late on.
So, Kasper Hjulmand’s team have just one point on the board, making this one must win.
These two met for the first time in a competitive international four years ago, playing out a 1-1 draw in Samara.
Australia would certainly settle for a repeat of that, but who will be celebrating at Al Janoub Stadium?
Australia team news
Graham Arnold made just one change on Saturday, with Fran Karačić coming in for Nathaniel Atkinson at right-back.
Stoke City centre-back Harry Souttar was colossal against Tunisia in, what was, just his third appearance after a year out due to a ruptured Cruciate Ligament.
Star midfielder Ajdin Hrustić was only fit enough to feature for 26 minutes at the weekend, so is likely to remain on the bench.
Goalkeeper Mat Ryan became the first Aussie goalkeeper since Jack Reilly, who’s now 79 years old, to keep a World Cup clean sheet.
If he manages another here, his team will be through.
Predicted XI (4-5-1): Ryan; Karačić, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Mooy, McGree, Irvine, Leckie, Goodwin; Duke.
Denmark team news
Kasper Hjulmand has some tougher decisions to make, following two underwhelming displays.
He’s likely to persist with a back three, featuring 33 year old Simon Kjær, who will return in place of Victor Nelsson.
Christian Eriksen will continue in a deeper midfield position, alongside Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, after Thomas Delaney suffered a tournament-ending injury against Tunisia.
In attack is where Denmark have seven different options, all of which are as unconvincing as each-other.
Andreas Skov Olsen is set to return to the XI, but the other spots are very much up for grabs.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Schmeichel; Christensen, Kjær, Anderson; Kristensen Eriksen, Højbjerg, Mæhle; Eriksen, Skov Olsen, Cornelius.
Australia vs Denmark: Head to head statistics
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