As the European football season is over, the international break has returned and as the 2018 World Cup is only a year away, the qualifiers are coming thick and fast. But before the qualifiers in this international break, there’s a round of friendlies. In one of these friendlies, the German national team make the trip to Northern Europe to face Denmark. This game comes before Denmark face Kazakhstan in Group E as Germany host San Marino in a match that should be plain sailing in Group C.

STATS

• After missing out on Euro 2016 in the play-off round, Denmark have won 4 games and lost 3 in their 8 games since that play-off heartbreak against Sweden. Denmark are currently 3^rd in Group E and are level on points with 2^nd placed Montenegro while Poland are running away with the group. Denmark disappointingly drew 0-0 with Romania in their last game.
• After being knocked out in the semi-finals by France at Euro 2016, Germany have won each of their last 6 games and they have scored 21 goals in the process. Meanwhile, they are running away with Group C as they’ve won all 5 of their qualifiers with a 5-point lead over Northern Ireland in 2^nd place. They destroyed Azerbaijan 4-1 in their last game.
• There’s only one player in qualifying Group E that has managed to score more goals than Denmark’s Christian Eriksen and that player is Robert Lewandowski. Eriksen will be hoping to add to his 3 goals to ensure Denmark have a chance of qualification.
• Thomas Muller is the highest scoring player in qualifying Group C and with 5 goals in 5 games, the German forward has been on a hot streak for Germany in the last few months.

HEAD TO HEAD

Germany have struggled against Denmark in their last few meetings and with just 2 wins and 2 losses in the last 5 against Denmark, they certainly haven’t been as dominant as they would’ve liked. The last meeting between the two at Euro 2012 ended 2-1 to Germany.

DENMARK NEWS

Denmark haven’t been good enough yet in qualifying for next year’s World Cup and the two defeats back in October really put a spanner in the works for qualification. And with the game against Germany on the horizon, their chance of qualification shouldn’t be made any better. Without one of their key players, Kasper Schmeichel, in goal, they’ll struggle to get anything from the game.

Latest matches: Denmark

26.03.2017	Worl	Romania	Denmark	0:0	D
15.11.2016	Int.	Czech Republic	Denmark	1:1	D
11.11.2016	Worl	Denmark	Kazakhstan	4:1	W
11.10.2016	Worl	Denmark	Montenegro	0:1	L
08.10.2016	Worl	Poland	Denmark	3:2	L

GERMANY NEWS

Germany have been brilliant throughout qualifying so far and they’ll be looking to continue that great streak with a win over the Danes. However, Joachim Low will want his side to defend against complacency and not get ahead of themselves. Especially as they are without Manuel Neuer, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller as well as defensive pair Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, it won’t be an easy win for the Germans.

Latest matches: Germany

26.03.2017	Worl	Azerbaijan	Germany	1:4	W
22.03.2017	Int.	Germany	England	1:0	W
15.11.2016	Int.	Italy	Germany	0:0	D
11.11.2016	Worl	San Marino	Germany	0:8	W
11.10.2016	Worl	Germany	Northern Ireland	2:0	W

SUMMARY

Germany are huge favourites heading into the game against Denmark especially as the hosts are without Leicester City goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel. Although with home advantage as well as several German stars missing, Denmark will certainly be in with a chance of victory over one of the favourites to win the World Cup. Without the core of their defence and the world’s best goalkeeper, Germany will struggle to keep a clean sheet but they should be able to hold out for a win. Both teams to score is very likely.