Denmark have been perfect at the UEFA Nations League posting six points from two matches. The Danes now go into matchday 3 seeking a third straight victory to take firm control of League A Group 1.
Croatia are bottom of the group thanks to goal difference. The Croatians have a mere one point from six points on offer and have allowed four goals to opponents while scoring just once.
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Zlatko Dalic’s team is coming off of a 1-1 draw with France on matchday 2. The draw followed on from a 3-0 loss to Austria on matchday 1.
Denmark have won both matches at the Nations League by identical 2-1 scorelines. The Danes came from a goal down in the second half to defeat France thanks to an Andreas Cornelius double in the final 22 minutes of the game.
The Danes followed on with another 2-1 win as Pierre-Emile Hojberg scored against Austria to put the team up 1-0 at halftime. After conceding a second half goal. Jens Stryger Larsen scored in the final six minutes to give Denmark the win.
These teams most recently met in 2018 at the World Cup. Croatia won the match on penalties in the quarterfinals of the tournament. Denmark scored in the first minute through Zanka but Croatia levelled the score on four minutes thanks to Mario Mandzukic.
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand has rotated the side when needed at the summer tournament. He used Barcelona’s Martin Braithwaite and RB Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen as the front two last time out. However, Hjulmand could rotate the strikers with Mikkel Damsgaard or Cornelius starting.
Dalic is trying to rediscover the form that Croatia should at the 2018 World Cup. He doesn’t have the same top stars available as he did four years ago.
Andrej Kramaric could start the match after coming off the bench to slot home a penalty against France. It is the only goal Croatia have scored at the tournament. Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, and Marcelo Brozovic could all start in midfield once more.
Dalic’s options in attack are limited outside of Kramaric playing as a No. 9. He may rotate the wide forwards with Josip Brekalo and Lovro Majer moving to the substitutes’ bench.
Croatia got a 1-1 draw four years ago against Denmark. A lot has changed, but the Croatians should go to Copenhagen and get another stalemate. Denmark have been playing well and winning thanks to late goals. Those late goals could run out with this game ending 1-1.