Denmark (2 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws) welcomes Croatia (0-1-1) to Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark Friday. Kickoff for the 3rd of 6 group stage games is set for 2:45 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Denmark vs. Croatia odds and lines, and make our best UEFA Nations League bets, picks and predictions.
Denmark has had a highly impressive stretch of play so far in the Nations League. They beat France 2-1 and Austria 2-1 as well. Their opponents respectively rank 3rd and 34th in the world per FIFA.
Denmark sits 11th and has already qualified for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Andreas Cornelius, who has 39 caps for the senior team, is leading the side in scoring with 2 of their 4 goals.
As for Croatia, the opposite can be said as they’ve uncharacteristically struggled. Croatia lost 3-0 to Austria as star M Luka Modrić, who plays for the Champions League-winning Real Madrid, subbed on in the second half.
Croatia was already down 3-0 at that point. Modric started in a 1-1 draw with France, the more impressive outing for Croatia. The road side will enter as a heavy underdog but does sit 16th in the world ranking.
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Denmark vs. Croatia odds, lines, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Denmark -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Croatia +320 (bet $100 to win $320) | Draw +250
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)
[tipico]
Prediction
Denmark 1, Croatia 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN DRAW +250.
Croatia didn’t play well against Austria, but they did put on a show against France, having as many shots on goal as the global’s 3rd-best side.
Modric makes that much of a difference. They drew France. Although Denmark defeated France, they had fewer shots on goal. Croatia advanced out of their group in the 2021 Euro 2020.
The Croatian midfield with Modric and Chelsea’s M Mateo Kovačić is no joke, and with Modric now rested after his club’s Champions League run, Croatia should be able to put up a fight.
Denmark has fewer players on top-tier European sides, and Leicester City D Jannik Vestergaard might be their most notable. He has helped to hold opponents to just 2 goals.
These teams have less splitting them apart than their spots on the table. I’ll take a DRAW +250 for a partial unit.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (-130).
Denmark’s defense has allowed just 2 goals with Austria having just 1 shot on target yet they managed to put that one in the back of the net. France had just 1 goal as well.
Croatia gave up 3 to Austria then had a 1-1 draw with France.
Both sides have a solid midfield that should be able to control the game. Each, especially Denmark, has shown an ability to contain their opponents as well.
Four of Croatia’s 5 2021 matches against top-36 opponents went under 2.5 goals. While Denmark is a strong scoring side, they’ve had 16 shots through the 2 games.
The UNDER 2.5 (-130) is my favorite bet in this battle.
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