Chris Boline
- Denmark v Australia
- Wednesday, November 30, 2022, 08:00 ET
- At Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
Denmark face a must-win game against Australia in their final Group D assignment.
Who do Bettors Favor?
According to the odds on the best-rated online sportsbooks Denmark are the big favorites with bettors to win their final game of Group D. Denmark can be backed at -194, while Australia are the clear underdogs at +600 and the draw is priced at around +330.
| Australia v Denmark |  |  |  |
| Australia | -198 | -194 | -200 |
| Draw | +330 | +330 | +315 |
| Denmark | +610 | +550 | +600 |
World Cup Group D Betting Briefing
World Cup Group D started with a minor surprise when Australia scored the opening goal against France, but the reigning World Cup champions hit back to win the game 4-1 and the Group has largely run according to expectations since then, with Denmark’s draw against Tunisia the sole exception.
That draw has left Denmark under pressure to win their final game although that was always likely to be required given the dynamics of the Group. If they can beat Australia, assuming that Tunisia don’t pull off an unlikely big win over France, then Denmark will go through as the second-placed team in the Group.
Since Group D is paired with Group C in the Round of 16 draw, a second-placed finish in Group D would lead to a game against the Group C winners in the next phase, which at the moment, would be Poland.
Denmark, however, are unlikely to be dwelling on those calculations. Victory against a tough Australian lineup is all that they will be focusing on, while Australia will have the extra incentive of knowing that a draw in this game would almost certainly send them through.
Denmark Under Pressure
Going into the World Cup, Denmark were many people’s dark horse pick: a typically middle-ranking European team with the potential to cause some surprises. The fact that they had a good record against Group D rivals France over the last few years was also a factor in their favor.
But that renewal of the rivalry with France resulted in a defeat and a failure to score against Tunisia means that the Danes go into their final Group D game under more pressure than they’d expected.
The most worrying aspect of that opening draw against Tunisia was how easily Denmark were bullied by the aggressive approach of their opponents. Against France too, Denmark seemed to lack spark and energy, scoring their only goal through a set-piece.
The assumption is that they will raise their game when they need to, but that may be expecting too much of a group of players who seem low on confidence at the moment.
Australia On the Brink Of Qualification
Written off in the middle of their qualifying campaign, this has been a remarkable few months for Australia, who battled through two playoff games to qualify for the tournament, and made the best possible start by taking the lead against France in their opening game.
They eventually lost that one heavily, but they showed plenty of resilience in coming back from that disappointment to outbattle Tunisia in their second game and secure a priceless victory that has left them on the brink of qualification to the Round of 16 for only the second time in their history.
That turnaround during the qualifying competition was achieved largely because they reverted to the qualities that have made them difficult opponents over the years: physicality, energy and directness, combined with a strong threat from set pieces and crosses.
Australia only need a draw at this point to reach the Round of 16, so they may not be going all out here, particularly not in the closing stages if the game is level. That could make them even more difficult to break down and Denmark are likely to be in for a tough game.
World Cup Group D Match Betting
Denmark’s squad is far stronger than Australia’s but form and self-confidence can count for a lot in these crucial games, and that’s where Australia has the edge.
Although the Danes have been neat enough in some of their build-up play, they have lacked conviction in the final third. Andreas Cornelius missed a sitter in the game against Tunisia, while Yussuf Poulsen continues to be affected by injury issues, leaving them looking toothless up front.
The same cannot be said for Australia. Mitch Duke’s headed goal against Tunisia, in which he made the most of a scuffed cross, was a clear warning to Denmark that they can’t allow any crosses to be floated into the penalty area and that will be a handful.
The fact that Denmark struggled to match up to a physical Tunisian side is also a concern against an Australian lineup that is physically robust and well organized. Denmark could find this game a frustrating experience and a draw looks the best option in the Match Betting markets.
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