The Boys in Green have already been relegated so they and Martin O’Neill have a serious point to prove to their critics
Denmark and Republic of Ireland bring UEFA Nations League B Group 4 to a close on Monday when they face off in Aarhus.
There is little more than pride at stake for both sides after Denmark’s 2-1 win over Wales on Friday secured their promotion to League A and confirmed Ireland’s relegation to League C.
Nevertheless, Age Hareide is eager for his players to deliver a ‘thank you’ to the home fans, while the increasingly embattled Martin O’Neill is in desperate need of a victory to put a sheen on a distastrous campaign.
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Denmark have the upper hand in recent meetings between the sides, famously beating the Irish 5-1 en route to the 2018 World Cup, but there have also been two scoreless draws, so it may be similarly tight.
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US), the game can be streamed live online using ESPN+ and Univision Deportes En Vivo.
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on TV via Sky Sports Main Event and it can be streamed live online using Sky Go.
Squads & Team News
Denmark will be without Kasper Schmeichel and Thomas Delaney are unavailable for the game due to suspension so Hareide has called up David Jensen and Christian Norgaard as replacements. Sevilla defender Simon Kjaer is not part of the squad.
With promotion from League B secured, the game against Ireland may be used to experiment with different personnel.
Potential Denmark XI: Ronnow; Ankersen, Christensen, M. Jorgensen, Knudsen; Schone, Hojbjerg, Eriksen, Sisto, Poulsen; Dolberg.
Shane Long, Ciaran Clark, Matt Doherty and Stephen Ward are all unavailable due to injuries, while James McClean is suspended for the match. Further injuries have ruled out striker Sean Maguire, defender John Egan and midfielder Alan Browne. The fitness of Callum O’Dowda is a concern.
Since relegation to League C has already been confirmed, the game is a dead rubber, so O’Neill may opt to test new players, though he will still be eager to land a morale-boosting victory after a difficult year.
Potential Ireland XI: Randolph; Keogh, Duffy, Long; Coleman, Stevens, Arter, Brady, Hendrick; Robinson, Hogan.
Betting & Match Odds
Denmark have a distinct edge over Ireland and that is reflected in their odds, with bet365 pricing them at 8/13 to win.
The Boys in Green are on a poor run, having gone five games without a win, and they are rated 13/2 bets to beat the Danes. A draw is available at 27/10.
Click here to see more offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more.
Match Preview
Despite the fact that there is nothing for either side to play for on Monday, Ireland arrive in Aarhus for the game against Denmark with a point to prove.
With just one win in eight games this year, the spotlight is firmly fixed on O’Neill as he attempts to restore confidence in his team ahead of next year’s European Championship qualification cycle.
“It’s certainly been a disappointing year, no question about it, and we have to regroup,” the Ireland boss said after his side’s underwhelming 0-0 draw at home to Northern Ireland.
“The bigger picture is the Euro qualifiers. There is no question about that, regardless of what happens on Monday night and that has always been the case.”
The Boys in Green have always been second best to the Danes in their past three encounters and there is no indication that the trend is likely to change on Monday.
However, the fact that the Danes are in a celebratory mood after achieving promotion to the top tier may work to Ireland’s advantage.
