As the semi-finals of Euro 2020 loom, it’s fair to say that the tournament has not disappointed. With a year-long delay due to the coronavirus pandemic leading to a longer-than expected build-up and huge anticipation amongst football fans all over Europe, this is a tournament that could have fallen flat on its face.
However, with a record number of goals, an unprecedented number of own goals and a fair share of shocks, Euro 2020 certainly hasn’t let us down, especially the neutrals, and with the semi-finals on the horizon, who knows what is around the corner?
Whilst Italy vs Spain promises to be the tie of the round, England vs Denmark is still a mouth-watering encounter. There will be a lot of nerves shattered in England as Gareth Southgate’s men are on the verge of their first major final since 1966.
That pressure is something that could play in the Danes’ favour. Underdogs in the England v Denmark betting, Kasper Hjulmand’s side are heavily expected to bow out in the last four, but they definitely won’t go down without a fight and the lack of expectations could play in their favour.
That said, let’s take a look at four players — two from each side — who could make a difference in England vs Denmark. Read on to find out more.
Raheem Sterling – England
England’s status as favourites in the EURO winner odds are largely down to the performances from this man, Raheem Sterling. Prior to the tournament, many England fans had called for the Manchester City forward to be left out of the starting XI by Southgate. However, he silenced his doubters instantly, scoring the only goal of the opening game against Croatia and he bagged England’s sole effort again in the 1-0 win over the Czech Republic. In opening the scoring against Germany, Sterling has established himself as England’s hero. Whilst not on the scoresheet against Ukraine in the quarter-finals, he was the provider of Harry Kane’s opener. If England are to find the back of the net against Denmark, you’d expect this man to be involved.
Kasper Dolberg – Denmark
England are yet to concede a goal in this tournament, but that is something that Denmark’s striker Kasper Dolberg will be hoping to change on Wednesday night. Gifted his first start of the tournament against Wales in the last 16, following an injury to Yussuf Poulsen, Dolberg is yet to look back. He opened the scoring against Rob Page’s side inside the opening half an hour with a beautiful effort from outside the box and he doubled his tally with another strike early in the second half. He was on hand again in the quarter-finals, adding Denmark’s second goal of the game on the brink of half time. Goalscoring chances may be few and far between against England, but the Danes will certainly be hoping that one or two opportunities fall to this man.
Harry Kane – England
There are so many England players we could zone in on at this point, including Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice. However, there’s no one in Southgate’s side with as much ability to influence a game as Kane. The Tottenham Hotspur striker started slowly, failing to find the back of the net in Group D. But, with that strike against Germany in the last 16, Kane seems to have sprung into life. He looked deadly against the Ukraine, scoring twice. On this kind of form, Denmark are going to have their work cut out if they are to stop the 27-year-old.
Joakim Mæhle – Denmark
It’s no secret that England’s full-backs like to get forward, and often, that can lead to goals for Southgate’s side. However, they need to be wary of getting hit on the break, and that’s something left-wing-back Joakim Mæhle will be hoping to take full advantage of. With two goals against Russia and Wales and arguably the assist of the tournament against the Czechs, where his outside-of-the-boot cross found Dolberg, the 24-year-old has already proved he is dangerous going forward. His main objective will, of course, be to keep England’s talented wide-men at bay, but if he is doing that well, he will be looking for the perfect chance to counter.
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