Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
With this game being something of a dead rubber, it’s not going to be a hugely attractive prospect for the neutral. In fact, with Denmark already the group winner and Ireland already relegated, even the most enthusiastic follower of either nation might see this as more of an injury trap than a chance to cheer on their side. At least for the more devoted follower of the Boys in Green, it’s the chance to see their team beaten in the charming central Danish city of Aarhus. So there’s that.
For a more cynical Irishman, there is the chance that a particularly thumping reverse here could accelerate the departure of Martin O’Neill as manager. A coach who drew miraculous performances from his Leicester and Celtic sides around the turn of the century seems to be out of ideas when it comes to getting an admittedly talent-poor Irish pool to play above themselves. For Denmark, it’s a chance to give some game time to backup players with keeper Kasper Schmeichel and midfielder Thomas Delaney suspended.
Denmark vs Republic of Ireland Prediction: Denmark 3-0 Republic of Ireland
Irish sides, even at the peak of their powers, have often struggled on their travels – and this is not one of the better vintages to don the green. Since the retirement of Robbie Keane, the national team has struggled for a regular goalscorer, and where they used to have a tight-knit defence to mitigate a lack of creative ingenuity, recent skelpings from Wales and tonight’s opponents show that even that is absent these days. It all adds up to the very real possibility that even a relatively limited Danish side could put a hefty beating on an Ireland side without even pride left to play for.
Our recommended tip: Denmark win both halves
A 0-0 draw with Northern Ireland last week delivered a clean sheet and literally nothing else to be happy about for O’Neill and his charges. The truth is, the smaller country could have travelled back north with a comfortable win had it not been for Darren Randolph in the Republic’s goal. The Danes are more creatively gifted and their 2-1 win in Cardiff was a demonstration of their ability to put chances away when they get them. As such, at 333/100 (4.33) to win both halves, Denmark are an absolute bargain with Betway. If they approach this contest with any enthusiasm, the final score could embarrass Ireland.
Previous matches
The sides’ most recent meeting came last month in Dublin, ending in a 0-0 draw. The entire match could be summed up in the 5th-minute incident which saw Jeff Hendrick run clear after the Danes stopped playing following an injury to Harry Arter. Hendrick pulled his shot wide – in other words, even when Denmark were literally standing still, Ireland couldn’t beat them. Indeed, Denmark dominated possession and chances and, had Christian Eriksen been present (as he will be tonight), a repeat of the 5-1 thrashing they handed out on their previous trip to Dublin would not have been flattering.
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Players to watch: Lasse Schone & Ronan Curtis
In the suspension-enforced absence of Delaney, the importance of Schone to Denmark’s game will be magnified – he’ll be tasked with starting attacks from the base of the home midfield. A regular starter for an Ajax side sitting second in the Eredivisie, the 32-year-old is a talented ball-player who’ll have plenty of options when in possession, and his ability to maintain the tempo will be important against an Irish side likely to rely heavily on harrying and pressing.
As uninspiring as their last friendly outing was, Ireland did at least seem to uncover a potential future prospect in the shape of Portsmouth forward Ronan Curtis. The former Derry City striker has been a key player in an impressive start to Pompey’s season, and has scored regularly as his side has climbed to the top of League One. Granted, there’s a gulf in class between third-tier club football and international, but it’s worth remembering that Jamie Vardy was playing non-league football at 22 – the age Curtis is now – and he’s turned out OK.
