Denmark v Finland EURO 2024 Qualifiers: Preview, Odds, Predictions

Denmark v Finland EURO 2024 Qualifying Group - March 23 @ 2:45 pm ET

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Initial Thoughts

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Scandinavian nations Denmark and Finland will go head to head at the Parken Stadium on Thursday as the two sides get their EURO 2024 qualifying campaigns underway. The Danes are the far stronger side on paper after racking up an impressive run of results at the last European Championships in 2021.

The Narrative

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Despite losing Christian Eriksen early in the tournament, Denmark saw off Wales and the Czech Republic to march all the way to the semi-finals of the delayed EURO 2020 finals.

Kasper Hjulmand's side followed that up with an even more impressive run in the UEFA Nations League. The Danes beat World Champions France at home and away to finish runners up in Group A1.

A second place finish in a group containing the likes of France, Croatia and Austria is no mean feat, and on that basis Denmark were much fancied for a strong showing at the Winter World Cup last year.

But Christien Eriksen and co crashed back down to earth with a bump in Qatar, after the Danes were dumped out of the competition in the group stage with just a single point to their name.

Hjulmand’s team managed that point against lowly Tunisia and suffered comprehensive defeats at the hands of Australian and France to catch the first plane home from the World Cup finals in November.

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Nuts & Bolts

Despite that disappointment the Danes are still strong favorites against Finland on Thursday, even though the Finns ran out 1-0 winners last time the two sides met back at EURO 2020.

That Finnish victory came during chaotic scenes in a match that saw Christian Eriksen collapse on the field. The Danes were clearly shaken by the experience, and will be in an entirely different gear when they walk out in front of their home fans for Thursday’s clash.

That victory over their Scandinavian neighbours came as part Finland’s first ever appearance at a major tournament. And Markku Kanerva's side will be hoping to make it two EUROs in a row if they can navigate a path out of a five team qualifying group that also includes Spain and Scotland.

To do so the Finns will rely heavily on Norwich City attacker Teemu Pukki, who’s racked 37 goals in 108 appearances for the national team. 

The diminutive striker is Finland’s all-time top scorer and the 32-year-old has been on fire this season, bagging 10 goals and 7 assists for the Canaries in England's second tier.

Homestand Picks

All odds courtesy of NorthStar Bets

Same game parlay: Denmark & Over 2.5 goals (+125)

With the Danes scoring two or more goals in 11 of their past 14 home fixtures, and Finland’s Teemu Pukki a constant threat, this same-game parlay looks like good value for tomorrow's clash.

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