Denmark vs Portugal UEFA Nations League Preview, Prediction, Team News and Confirmed Lineups

Denmark welcome Portugal in the opening leg of the UEFA Nations League A play-offs and you can find our preview, prediction, team news and confirmed lineups below.

Denmark vs Portugal Preview

Portugal enjoyed a strong UEFA Nations League group stage run, avoiding defeat in each of the six matches and finishing top of Group 1 in League A.

The iconic footballing nation conceded just five goals during these six matches, while scoring 16 and lead the way by six points – over the likes of Croatia, Scotland and Poland.

The UEFA Nations League has been an enjoyable competition for Portugal in the past, as they clinched the trophy in its debut year.

As for Denmark, they managed to secure second place in Group 4 of League A after picking up eight points from six games and finishing just below Spain.

However, this did not come from a run of impressive performances, as after winning their opening two matches in the UNL, Denmark failed to win any of the next four.

In their most recent Nations League encounter, the Danes failed to score against a 10-men Serbia side and now face a tough task on Thursday evening.

These two sides last met in October 2015, as Portugal picked up a 1-0 victory over the Danes at home thanks to a Joao Moutinho strike.

Denmark vs Portugal Team News

The host have been hit with some early injury news just a matter of days into the camp, as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Mads Roerslev were forced to pull out through injury.

Denmark will also be without Kasper Dolberg, Matt O’Riley and Alexander Bah, as the trio picked up long-term injuries prior to this international break.

In contrast, Portugal have managed to avoid any injuries following the squad submission and Roberto Martinez had a fairly full selection to choose from.

Portuguese icon, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to make his 218th appearance for his nation during this international break and Bruno Fernandes will be looking to take his scintillating club form into the Portuguese camp.

Denmark vs Portugal Confirmed Lineups

Denmark: Schmeichel; Kristensen, Andersen, Vestergaard; Isaksen, Hjulmand, Eriksen, Norgaard, Maehle; Biereth, Lindstrom

Portugal: Costa; Dalot, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Fernandes, Neves; Neto, Leao, Ronaldo

Denmark vs Portugal Prediction

Portugal come into this match as heavy favourites on UK betting sites, due to their star power and superior performances in the group stages.

With that in mind, we expect the visitors to pick up a comfortable victory in Copenhagen on Thursday evening and take a two-goal lead into the second leg.

Prediction: Denmark 1-3 Portugal