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Recommended bets
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Match preview
Many are touting Denmark as dark horses at this tournament, so will they make a winning start Al Rayyan?
Just 16 months ago, de Rød-Hvide reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020, their first final four appearance since winning the European Championships in 1992.
Kasper Hjulmand’s team did so in the face of enormous adversity, following Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest, and the fact they lost their first two group games.
Since, Denmark have cruised through qualification, and enjoyed a pair of Nations League victories over France.
So, they come into this tournament hopeful of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 1998, or possibly even eclipsing that best-ever run.
Tunisia meantime will relish being the underdogs, confident of springing a massive surprise.
To date, they’ve never got out of a group, their only two victories at the tournament coming against Mexico in 1978 and Panama four years ago.
So, very few expect anything of Jalel Kadri’s team in this competition, but even a point in this opener will set them up nicely, ahead of facing Australia on Saturday.
Nevertheless, Denmark are likely to be far too strong at Education City Stadium.
Denmark team news
At last summer’s Euros, Kasper Hjulmand’s team enjoyed success in a 3-4-3, but now play in a 4-3-3.
This is largely to accommodate Christian Eriksen, who scored on his international return in a friendly against Netherlands in March.
He and Simon Kjær are the only two survivors from the Denmark squad that competed at South Africa 2010.
Given that Andreas Christensen is an injured doubt, Kjær could start this one at centre-back, alongside Joachim Andersen.
Most of the XI is set in stone, with the exception coming up front.
It wouldn’t come as a surprise if any of the eight squad members formed the front three; Kasper Dolberg’s goal in September’s win over France leaves him in pole position.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Kristensen, Kjær, Anderson, Mæhle; Højbjerg, Delaney, Eriksen; Skov Olsen, Damsgaard, Dolberg.
Tunisia team news
Wahbi Khazri is the leading scorer in this Tunisia squad, with two of 24 coming at Russia 2018.
Manchester United’s Hannibal Mejbri, currently on loan at Birmingham City, is another player to watch.
In goal, Aymen Dahmen has just four caps to his name, the least of any of the four goalkeepers, but will continue to don the gloves.
Predicted XI (5-4-1): Dahmen; Dräger, Talbi, Meriah, Ghandri, Maâloul; Skhiri, Laïdouni, Mejbri, Khazri; Msakni.
Denmark vs Tunisia: Head to head statistics
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