With France having 6 points and already qualified from Group C, this match will purely be for pride, trying to claim top spot and rotating the squad, from a french perspective. Denmark need one point at least just to make certain of qualification, just in case Australia beat Peru in the other match of the group. Both France and Denmark will want to win it and see how well they can perform to finish first but there’ll be an eye on resting players and keeping players fresh for the knockout stages, so I expect some new faces in the starting lineup. 

PREDICTED LINEUPS:

DENMARK:

Goalkeeper: Jonas Lössl.

Kasper Schmeichel has done pretty well in the last two games and deserves a rest I think. Lössl has had a fantastic Premier League season with Huddersfield, proving his worth as a keeper.

Defenders: Jens Stryger Larson (LB), Simon Kjaer and Andreas Christensen (CBs), Henrik Dalsgaard (RB).

The same defence that lined up[ before, looks solid and kept the scoreline very tight. The captain Kjaer and  Chelsea’s Christensen are typical, rugged centre halves and the full backs are decent too.

Midfielders: Lasse Schone (CM), Christian Eriksen (CAM), William Kvist (CM).

Eriksen, the mercurial Premier League playmaker, will be looking to add to his lucrative 

Christian Eriksen, 26. Outstanding. (Image from The Independent)

international stats of late. 17 goals and six assists in his last 24 international, fantastic stats for the 26 year old. Schone should get some time in this match, alongside Kvist who has played well all tournament.

Forwards: Kasper Dolberg (LF), Nicolai Jörgensen (ST), Yusuf Yurary Poulson (RF).

Jörgensen has done well to bag himself a couple of goals in the previous game, so he’ll stay down the middle.  I feel Dolberg can adapt and slot in as a left forward, with Poulsen remaining in the same position.

FRANCE:

Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris.

Part of the French system, put in there for consistency. Performs time and time again.Tjough it wouldn’t surprise me if Steve Mandanda was brought in for some game time, as he’s a nifty goalkeeper too. 

Defenders: Benjamin Mendy (LB), Presnel Kimpmembe and Raphael Varane (CBs), Benjamin Pavard (RB).

I want to see what Mendy can do, as he hasn’t really showcased his ability in the recent past, or been given the opportunity to do so, for that matter. I think he’ll fit into the team strongly. The young PSG centre back in Kimpmembe looks a promising talent, and alongside Varane he’ll have the best chance to prove himself on the biggest international stage in the world. Pavard can only grow in confidence with more game time, he’s been superb so far.

Midfielders: Corentin Tolisso (CM), N’Golo Kante (CDM) and Nabil Fekir (CM).

Tolisso and Fekir are versatile young players, capable of bringing the ball forward from deep and switching play. No slouches going forward too. Kante will hold fort doggedly and allow them to play with freedom.

Forwards: Thomas Lemar (LW), Antoine Griezmann (ST), Florian Thauvin (RW).

Lemar is a skilful and agile young winger, not afraid to commit and dig deep to defend when tracking back. It’ll be exciting to see what he can bring to this game. Thauvin has done exceptionally for Marseille, 22 goals in 34 games as a winger, and we want more of the same against Denmark, please! Griezmann will suit the style of the two wingers the best, through the middle.

SCORE PREDICTION:

Denmark 2-3 France. It’ll be a tight game, both sides competing on a similar level. Both sides have goals in them too but I get the feeling France have the edge to just nick it in the end.