Denmark vs Finland: Not-so great Danes need Euro 2020 win against first-time Fins

Wales v Denmark UEFA Nations League Group B4 Cardiff City Stadium

With Belgium looming in Group B, neither Denmark nor Finland can likely afford defeat in their Euro 2020 opener if they hope to progress.

When: Saturday June 12, 17:00 GMT

How to watch: BBC

Follow this game live via our score centre

Best bets

Denmark to win, both teams to score and over 4.5 cards in the match at 16/1

Denmark to win 2-1 at 15/2

Teemu Pukki to score anytime at 3/1

Given Belgium's strength, it seems more than likely that the other three teams in Group B are playing for second place.

One of them will be able to take a significant step towards that when Scandinavian rivals Denmark and Finland face off in Copenhagen.

Denmark back among the elite

It is sometimes easy to forget that when talking about Denmark we are talking about former European champions.

The Danes failed to qualify in 2016, but they will be back among the European elite again this summer.

The current Denmark side is not at the same level as their predecessors in previous generations, although Kasper Hjulmand does have a good core or players at his disposal.

Leicester City's Kasper Schmeichel, Chelsea's Andreas Christensen, and Inter Milan's Christian Eriksen offer a sprinkling of star quality to a solid team.

Denmark squad

Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel, Jonas Lossl, Frederik Ronnow

Defenders: Simon Kjaer, Andreas Christensen, Jannik Vestergaard, Joachim Andersen, Mathias Jorgensen, Daniel Wass, Jens Stryger Larsen, Joakim Maehle, Nicolai Boilesen

Midfielders: Christian Eriksen, Thomas Delaney, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Mathias Jensen, Christian Norgaard, Anders Christiansen

Forwards: Kasper Dolberg, Jonas Wind, Andreas Cornelius, Martin Braithwaite, Robert Skov, Mikkel Damsgaard, Yussuf Poulsen, Andreas Skov Olsen

Inter Milan ace Christian Eriksen

Finland finally get their turn

While Denmark are generally involved in major tournaments, Finland are making their debuts in terms of major international tournaments.

That makes them genuine outsiders in a tough group, but that didn't stop Iceland from making their mark on international football five years ago.

Markku Kanerva's side will certainly be keen to make the most of the underdogs tag, and a starting with a win could put them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages.

Finland squad

Goalkeepers: Lukas Hradecky, Jesse Joronen, Anssi, Jaakkola

Defenders: Thomas Lam, Paulus Arajuuri, Jere Uronen, Juhani Ojala, Sauli Vaisanen, Nikolai Alho, Daniel O'Shaughnessy, Niko Hamalainen, Leo Vaisanen, Robert Ivanov

Midfielders: Jasin Assehnoun, Onni Valakari, Pyry Soiri, Fredrik Jensen, Joni Kauko, Glen Kamara, Rasmus Schuller, Tim Sparv

Forwards: Teemu Pukki, Lassi Lappalainen, Marcus Forss, Joel Pohjanpalo

International head-to-head

Denmark wins: 38

Draws: 10

FInland wins: 11

Goalscorer bets

For Finland, it feels a little like if Teemu Pukki doesn't score, its hard to see who will.

The Norwich City marksman scored 10 goals in qualifying, with only Harry Kane, Eran Zahavi, and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring more.

He also has the added incentive of being just two goals short of Jari Litmanen's all-time record total for Finland, and he is always a decent bet to score anytime.

For Denmark, it's usually hard to overlook Christian Eriksen. He wouldn't describe himself as a goalscorer, but on the biggest stage, he seems most likely to produce for the Danes in a close match.