The Euro 2021 quarterfinal matchup between Denmark and the Czech Republic in Baku, Azerbaijan is the tournament’s last true hope for tournament chaos.
Denmark is ranked 10th in the world and the Czechs are ranked 40th and one of those teams will be in the Euro 2021 semifinal at Wembley Stadium in London. The winner faces England or Ukraine.
With a host of players featuring for top clubs across Europe, many flagged Denmark as a potential pre-tournament dark horse. The Danes have already pulled off a miracle run to a Euro title back in 1992 and this team gives off some of those same feel-good vibes, especially after the traumatic experience involving star Christian Eriksen, who survived a cardiac arrest episode in the first match.
Watch: Denmark vs. Czech Republic quarterfinal on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)
The Czechs have been reliant on teamwork, patience, disciplined organization and defensive commitment to reach this point. Breakout star Patrik Schick (below), who’s chasing the tournament top scorer award, has been their difference-maker. And they’ve also taken advantage of moments that have gone their way like the red card to the Netherlands in the last round.
It’s telling that Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand told Danish media he would “rather have played the Netherlands” in the quarterfinals. That’s because he knows the Czechs can match his own team’s intense pressing and work ethic, which should make for a compelling high-stakes match.
How to watch Denmark vs. Czech Republic
The quarterfinal will be available in English on ESPN and in Spanish on Univision and TUDN. Both those networks can be streamed on fuboTV (free 7-day trial).
Denmark-Czech Republic projected lineups
The interesting decision that Denmark faces in this one: Does Denmark stay with the hot hand and keep Kasper Dolberg (2 goals vs. Wales) as the starting forward? Or does Yussuf Poulsen, who returns from injury, take back his starting spot? It’s hard to see both of them starting, even if Poulsen can play out wide.
The edge should go to Dolberg (below), whose quick reactions in the box could be decisive against a Czech team that will crowd the box. Dolberg doesn’t need much space to do his damage.
In a similar vein, it’s hard to see right winger Daniel Wass reclaiming his place after returning from illness. Jens Stryger Larsen played well in his stead against Wales.
The Czechs also have two players returning in captain Vladimir Darida and left back Jan Boril. Although their replacements, Antonin Barak and Pavel Kaderabek (who mainly serves as a right back), fared well against the Netherlands, the regulars are expected to be reinserted into the starting XI. Barak should help provide an attacking boost off the bench.
Denmark (3-4-3, left to right): Schmeichel-GK — Vestergaard, Kjaer, Christensen — Maehle, Delaney, Hojbjerg, Stryger Larsen — Damsgaard, Dolberg, Braithwaite
Czech Republic (4-2-3-1, left to right): Vaclik — Boril, Kalas, Celustka, Coufal — Soucek, Holes — Sevcik, Darida, Masopust — Schick
Denmark vs. Czech Republic: Odds & prediction
In the last decade these two teams have faced each other four times, resulting in three draws and a 3-0 Denmark win. But the last meeting came back in 2016. That history serves to reinforce the idea that there won’t be much between them on Saturday.
And the Czechs know how to keep things tight. In their last two matches against England and the Netherlands, they limited the Euro powers to expected goals of 0.8 and 0.9, respectively, according to FBref stats.
More: Complete Euro 2021 tournament bracket
So it’ll be another tight one on Saturday. The difference will come down to which team can produce the moment of brilliance. Sure, the Czechs have Schick, but the attack-minded Danes (averaging 19 shots a game) simply have more players like Schick who can improvise and make a big play. The four goals in Denmark’s last two games serves as evidence.
Given the above and the likelihood that Denmark will be the team taking the initiative, the odds for “Denmark to score first and win” seems like the most attractive play for this game.
Prediction: Denmark 2, Czech Republic 1
Odds courtesy of DraftKings
- Denmark to win (90 mins): +110
- Denmark to advance: -182
- Draw (90 mins): +225
- Czech Republic to win (90 mins): +290
- Czech Republic to advance: +140
- Denmark -0.25 Asian Handicap: -129
- Denmark to score first and win: +130
- Denmark to win to nil: +225
- Denmark total shots on target over 4.5: -112