Euro 2024: Slovenia vs Denmark tips and predictions - Back the Dragons to roar in surprise opener
- George Dempsey
- 14 June 2024
We’re predicting an upset in the opening match of Group C at Euro 2024 on Sunday (1700 BST) as underdogs Slovenia face Denmark in Stuttgart.
Sunday’s late afternoon kick-off offers us a first glimpse of England’s Group C opponents as Slovenia meet Denmark in Stuttgart.
The Three Lions are expected to top the group and Denmark are priced as the most likely side to join them in the knockout stages, but Slovenia can’t be written off.
Kasper Hjulmand’s team marched into Wembley at Euro 2020 and gave the hosts a run for their money in the semi-final, before losing 2-1.
Kasper Schmeichel, Simon Kjaer, Andreas Christensen, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Christian Norgaard and Christian Eriksen are just a handful of the experienced survivors who featured in 2021.
Matjaz Kek’s side may not boast the quality that the Danes do, but their squad is littered with experience and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
That said, towering 6ft 5 forward Benjamin Sesko, who scored 20 goals for RB Leipzig this season, is destined to play at the very top of the game and provides a genuine goal threat.
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Denmark are 3/4 favourites with Planet Sport Bet at the time of writing and it’s hard to agree with such slim odds for several reasons.
Sure, that may represent the Danes being a more accomplished side with a better chance of going far in the tournament, but it doesn’t speak to their chances in a one-off match.
On top of that, we think the underdog typically benefits from teams generally making a slow start at tournaments, as the onus will be Hjulmand’s sit to create and find gaps.
The two sides went toe-to-toe in qualifying and while Denmark triumphed 2-1 at Parken, Slovenia claimed a point in the reverse fixture as both sides finished on 22 points.
Denmark may find that one moment of brilliance in a cagey game, but there’s nowhere near the gulf in class that the bookmakers want you to think there so we’ll side with the value.
Team news
Schmeichel will get the nod in goal as Denmark deploys a traditional back three flanked by Joakim Maehle and Rasmus Kristensen.
Thomas Delaney is expected to join Premier League Eriksen and the recently prolific Hojbjerg in midfield.
Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund will form a two-man attack with Jonas Wind, who scored 11 goals and registered seven assists for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
Atletico Madrid stopper Jan Oblak will provide a formidable presence between the sticks for Slovenia.
Udinese defender Jaka Bivol is the most accomplished option at the heart of the Slovenian defence, although Miha Blazic could be fit and would surely start.
Andraz Sporar bagged three goals in qualifying and eight in the Greek Super League this season, but Sesko largely stands alone as Slovenia’s main goal threat.
Key stats
- Denmark and Slovenia finished level on 22 points in Euro 2024 Qualifying
- Denmark won 2-1 at home, while Slovenia claimed a 1-1 draw in the reverse
- Slovenia are unbeaten in five since qualifying, beating the US 1-0 and Portugal 2-0
- Slovenia are unbeaten in 18 of their previous 20 matches across all competitions
- Denmark have failed to win nine of their last 12 matches at major tournaments
- Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg opened the scoring for Denmark in their last three matches
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