Denmark v Scotland predictions: Maehle the man to deliver for Danes

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Denmark v Scotland in World cup qualifying on Wednesday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 7.45pm Wednesday

Best bet

Joakim Maehle to score at any time
1pt 15-4 bet365

Team news

Denmark
Martin Braithwaite and Kasper Dolberg have been ruled out. Jannik Vestergaard, Nicolai Boilesen, Andreas Cornelius, Rasmus Falk and Philip Billing were already sidelined.

Scotland
Celtic pair James Forrest and Greg Taylor have withdrawn from the squad. John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Stuart Armstrong and Nathan Patterson are also out.

Match preview

There are key absentees in both camps for this World Cup qualifying clash in Copenhagen, but Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark ought to have the necessary squad depth to overcome the challenge.

Injuries to Nice’s Kasper Dolberg and Barcelona hitman Martin Braithwaite reduce Denmark’s attacking presence, but a Scottish midfield without Premier League trio Scott McTominay, John McGinn and Stuart Armstrong looks to be hit far harder.

The Danes top Group F having claimed maximum points against Israel, Moldova and Austria, and have done so by scoring 14 goals without reply.

The Tartan Army have also made an unbeaten start to qualifying, with a 4-0 win at home to Faroes Islands following score draws with Austria and Israel.

The problem for Steve Clarke’s men is, however, there are big gaps to plug in midfield and the Danes create chances so freely that they are going to be under intense pressure.

Only Euro 2020 champions Italy and semi-finalists Spain had more attempts than Denmark (96) at this summer's tournament, and Scotland aren’t living up to their reputation of being defensively sound.

The Scots conceded five goals in three games at the Euros and have been breached three times in these qualifiers.

Much of Denmark’s creativity is likely to come through Sampdoria’s special talent Mikkel Damsgaard, but the visitors should be equally wary of Joakim Maehle.

Atlanta’s Maehle was one of Euro 2020’s emerging stars and he hit the target seven times in that tournament from just ten attempts.

The flying full-back grabbed goals in wins over Russia and Wales and was also on target in March’s 4-0 World Cup qualifying rout of Austria.

Although naturally a right-back, Maehle is deployed down the left for the Danes so he could profit from being positioned on the opposite flank from Kieran Tierney and Andrew Robertson.

Key stat

Scotland have won only two of their last ten internationals.

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