France vs Denmark. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

France will meet with Denmark in the FIFA World Cup 2022 2nd group stage match at the 974 Stadium. The fixture will take place on Saturday, November 26, beginning at 21:30 IST.

France and Denmark have been frequent rivals in recent years. They have already met twice in 2022: the Scandinavians were stronger both times in the group stage of the UEFA Nations League, winning 2-1 in June and 2-0 in September. The Danish side’s unbeaten streak lasts three games; four years ago, the teams also met at the World Cup group stage and produced the only scoreless draw at the tournament.

This 0-0 draw enabled both teams to qualify for the playoffs. It was far from the first time when getting into the same group with the Tri-Colored turned out to be a positive outcome for the Red and White.

How will things unfold now? So far, France are solely leading Group D and intent on securing an easy passage to the knockout stage. Could the Scandinavians prevent them? Parimatchnews will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

France News & Current Form: 

Having arrived in Qatar for the next edition of the WC, the French national team are determined to defend their original title from four years ago. Many were very concerned after their disappointing showing in 2022 and anticipated that the ‘curse of the champions’ (when as a trophy winner a team cannot get out of a group) will follow the team. However, the first leg provided a great deal of positivity, and there is a good reason to believe that Didier Deschamps’ side can escape the misery.

The French team crushed Australia 4-1 in the first round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage match and took sole possession of the top spot in Group D. In case of a second success the French national team secure their way to the 1/8 finals. A good reason to give their best against the Danish team and exhale a little in the final round, which is especially important given the frightening series of injuries that continues to haunt Les Bleus. Still, France have proved that the absence of some key players in the squad does not affect the quality of the game. And that is the best illustration of the quality and depth of player selection in the French football team at the moment. 

Of course, in the later stages of the World Cup the French may have to remember and regret the absence of Benzema and company, but judging from the match against Australia, the current selection of players should be sufficient to get out of the group.

The players performed magnificently. They did an impressive amount of work without the ball, in addition to being effective. And it is far from certain that these players would have got playing time at all in the meeting with Australia, if it were not for the huge number of injuries, including Karim Benzema.

One of the main heroes of the meeting were Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot and Olivier Giroud. The Lateral recorded a goal assist, the midfielder scored a goal and an assist, while the forward scored a double.

It’s a pity that the Blues’ stars will miss the 2022 World Cup exactly because of injuries. However, the Three Colors’ current squad looks more balanced and more threatening. Didier Deschamps finds it a little easier to manage and present his ideas, because he now has fewer leaders to pull the blanket over himself.

At the same time, Deschamps has given more freedom and space to Kylian Mbappe. In the fixture against Australia, the forward scored a goal and an assist. However, that’s not all. The forward set a tournament’s record for most touches in the opposition box in a single game in the 21st century. He made as many as 19 touches.

Speaking of records, we should also emphasize that Olivier Giroud managed to catch up with his famous compatriot – Thierry Henry – in terms of goals for the national team. The 36-year-old forward scored 51 goals in 115 games. Already in the upcoming meeting he may become the top scorer in the history of his national team.

The current World Champions continue to be haunted by injury problems. To all the players unavailable to play in Qatar long enough before the start of the tournament, first added the winner of the last Golden Ball Karim Benzema, and at the very beginning of the first match against Australia, Lucas Hernandez also collapsed with a torn cruciate ligament. His brother Theo Hernandez, who replaced him, is more inclined to contribute to the attack, so this is primarily a loss in terms of the credibility of the French defense.

Also, Kingsley Coman’s appearance on the field is still questionable.

Denmark News & Current Form:

The Danish team made everyone fall in love with them last year at the European Championship, where, despite the terrible emotional shock in the first match of the tournament, they were one step away from reaching the final. However, the start of the current World Cup for the Danish team was very difficult.

The Danes played a fairly boring and goalless match against modest Tunisia. The Scandinavian team failed to break through the Tunisian defense, although the African team seemed to be the group outsider and in principle was considered one of the weakest participants in the World Cup in Qatar. Denmark came close to a goal a couple of times, but it was clearly not what was expected from a team that has made a good impression and performed well in recent years. Of course, the Danes still have a game against Australia in the last round, but still, in terms of the tournament situation the draw was not a very good result for them.

Denmark could have сoncede two goals. But in the first case, the goal was cancelled due to an inch offside, and in the second case, Kasper Schmeichel heroically saved his national team. The second half was dominated by the Danes, but despite Christian Eriksen’s efforts, they failed to score.

Of course, the Danes can complain about the missed penalty in the gate of Africans in the final minutes of the match for fairly obvious handplay, but in terms of game content, Denmark objectively did not deserve to win the game. Especially notable was the lack of ideas and sharpness in the attack.

The bad news for the Red-Whites does not end there. In the meeting with Tunisia, its most titled player, Thomas Delaney, was injured. The loss is very serious. Especially considering the fact that the Danish national team is inferior to France in terms of depth and quality of the squad.

It was posted on Denmark Team’s Twitter:

Thomas Delaney must leave the World Cup camp. He sustained an injury in the Tunisia match. Delaney goes home and faces about 4 weeks of rehabilitation.

Kasper Hjulmand commented the situation:

“We will miss him, both on and off the pitch. Other players are ready and we have a strong squad for the next matches”. 

If the Danish national team is left without points in the second round, the last game day will be very nerve-racking for them. The fact that they have beaten the French twice in the last six months in the Nations League could be an additional motivation for the visitors. If they repeat that success, they will certainly make the playoffs.

The Danish Football Federation recently issued a statement that it is ready to quit FIFA due to the prohibition to wear rainbow armbands.

France form guide: D-D-L-W-L-W.

Denmark form guide: W-L-W-L-W-D

France vs Denmark: Head-To-Head Record:

Euro 1992 was a celebration of Scandinavian football: Sweden and Denmark beat France and England in the group. In a head-to-head game, the Danish were stronger than the Three-Colors, 2-1. 

At the 1998 FIFA World Cup, the Blues beat Denmark 2-1 and scored nine points, but the Scandinavians were successful in their remaining games: 1-0 against Saudi Arabia and 1-1 against South Africa allowed Bo Johansson’s side to finish second. In the end, the Danish team made it to the quarterfinals at that tournament, where they lost 2-3 to Brazil with Ronaldo, Bebeto and Rivaldo in a heated match.

Then the French and Danes fought together in the final part of Euro 2000: the goals of Blanc, Henri and Wiltord allowed the then reigning world champions to win comfortably 3-0 and finish behind the Netherlands in the group. The Danes, on the other hand, even lost to the Czechs and dropped out of the tournament with an embarrassing goal difference of 0-8. It was the only time a game with France in a group of a major tournament brought them pain.

In 2002, the teams were placed in the same quartet at the World Cup held in South Korea and Japan. Their group rivals were Senegal and Uruguay, and the stage ended with a sensation: the Danes beat the French 2-0 in the last round and stepped into the 1/8th place, while the Africans came in second. France scored only one point and, with a goal difference of 0-3, found themselves at the bottom of the quartet.

Last five encounters:

• March 29, 2015: France 2-0 Denmark (International Friendly);
•  October 11, 2015: France 2-1 Denmark (International Friendly);
• June 26, 2018: France 0-0 Denmark (FIFA World Cup);
• June 3, 2022: France 1-2 Denmark (UEFA Nations League);
• September 25, 2022: France 0-2 Denmark (UEFA Nations League).

France vs Denmark Predicted XI:

France’s possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.

Denmark’s possible starting lineup (3-5-2): Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Kjaer; Kristensen, Hojbjerg, Eriksen, Maehle; Skov Olsen, Dolberg, Damsgaard.

Statistical preview of the match France vs Denmark:

• France’s First XI average age is 27.6 yrs.
• Denmark’s First XI average age is 27.5 yrs.
• France scored 22 shots on goal against Australia in the first round, one of the highest scores at the 2022 World Cup.
• Kasper Schmeichel has saved 20 of 22 shots on goal in his two World Cups for Denmark.
• Kylian Mbappe became the youngest player to score five World Cup goals for France after scoring against Australia. 
• Denmark are unbeaten in their last 3 matches against France – 2 wins and a draw.
• The teams have exchanged goals in 2 of the last 4 head-to-head matches.
• France have conceded goals in 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
• Denmark have not conceded a goal in their last 2 games.
• The Danes have distinguished themselves by at least one goal in 3 of the last 4 meetings.
• In 6 of the last 8 games, Denmark have not lost to their opponents.
• The French national team has scored consistently in the last 25 of their last 27 matches.
• France have scored an average of 2 goals per game in their last 3 games played.
• Of the last 7 games played, only two of the French have managed to win.

What has been said before the match:

Kasper Hjulmand, Denmark’s team manager, said:

“Tomorrow’s game is really important for us. It is an opponent that belongs at the top of world football. I also know how strong we are. And if we play our best, we can get a good result. We are looking forward to the match”.

Karim Benzema posted on his Twitter:

“In my life, I have never given up but tonight I have to think about the team as I have always done. So the logic tells me to leave my position for someone who will be able to help our team to have a great World Cup. Thank you for all your messages of support ”.

Deschamps said in a pre-match press conference

“I’ve said multiple times that Denmark’s team is underestimated in relation to their real value. They caused us lots of trouble so we need to make sure that we reverse the trend, but without speaking about revenge or anything like that. It is a team that can change systems, which can lead to more difficulties”.

Hugo Lloris, captain of team France, said:

“In June they had a few different players and there will be a few new (ones) tomorrow because the team may not be exactly the same as it was in June or in September but we’ve assessed those players and we, of course, learn from those experiences in the past but Denmark will learn from them too”.

France vs Denmark Prediction:

France are superior on all fronts, even with their injury blow, so they will clearly try to take revenge for their two defeats in this year’s Nations League. The Three-Colours have had a very solid starting game and look good across all lines, but the same cannot be said for their opponent, who have been sluggish in attack.

The Danes are still far from their usual game and may well not show it in the upcoming game. The French are very quick in their attacks and will constantly stress the Scarlet Guard defence. We think it is worth giving preference to the more classy team, which is also the title holder.

Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe looked very solid offensively, and the rest of the French forward group was up to the task. The French three colours are capable of scoring against an unconvincing Denmark on more than one occasion, although the opposition will clearly try to play more aggressively up front. The World Champions are likely to have no trouble scoring three points and win by a decent margin, especially considering their opponent’s form and their difficulties with creativity and finishing.

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: France to win with an individual total over 1.5 – Yes.