Denmark and Portugal will meet in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final tie at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium on March 20. The Danes finished second in their group and will be aiming to capitalise on home advantage in the first leg. Portugal, who topped their group with an unbeaten record, will be looking to continue in the same way. Both teams have a rich history, and with Portugal winning the last few meetings between the sides, is a place in the semis theirs to lose?
Denmark: Recent Form and Squad Overview
Denmark’s 2024/25 Nations League campaign has been a bit of a mixed bag where results are concerned, but they’re in the quarter-finals on merit. They made a winning start with wins over Switzerland and Serbia, but the results since weren’t great, which is why the odds for Denmark vs Portugal favour the away side. However, all hope isn’t lost.
Denmark have a wealth of experience available to them, and this is what they will rely on to combat the threat Portugal pose. There’s a spine made up of experience, and players such as Fulham’s Joachim Andersen and Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen are key players for Denmark. At the top of the pitch, Kasper Dolberg will be looking to convert chances that come his way.
Portugal: Recent Form and Squad Overview
Portugal have been one of the most impressive teams in the 2024/25 Nations League, which is the main reason why, according to Nations League outright betting, they’re in with a chance of becoming champions. They’ve defeated every team they’ve come up against and only dropped points on a couple of occasions, so their path to the quarter-finals was a smooth one.
Portugal have started to look good under head coach Roberto Martinez, and he continues to add youthful energy to the experience available to him. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo is still involved, as are the likes of Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, but younger talents such as Goncalo Inacio are being introduced.
Tactical Approaches
Denmark
Demark continue to be a team that aims to build on a strong defence, which is arguably the area where they’re strongest in terms of personnel. Often deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, the Danes are good at pressing and regaining possession quickly; their formation also supports them in their efforts to get on the ball and dictate proceedings. The problem for Denmark is what they can do in attack, as they often fail to convert chances. They’ll have to improve on this if they want to progress to the semis.
Portugal
Portugal have become a more dynamic and attacking outfit under Roberto Martinez over time. He wants his team to get on the ball and assert themselves, creating opportunities for their plethora of attacking players through quick and precise passing. Usually, Portugal set up in a 4-3-3 formation, and this allows them to control the game in midfield and to attack down the sides. Portugal also have a solid defence, which features the likes of Manchester City central defender Ruben Dias.
What Can We Expect?
The first leg of Denmark vs Portugal in the Nations League quarter-finals will be a competitive game, that’s the first thing to expect, even though Nations League match betting has the away team pitched as the strong favourites to win in Copenhagen. Denmark may lack the star quality that Portugal undoubtedly possess, but they’re a team that is structured and organised.
However, the pressure could be on the Danes, as they will see the home leg as their chance to get into a lead ahead of what will be a trick away leg in Portugal. They will also know that if they don’t get a positive result on home soil, they will be forced to play a different way away from home, which could leave them vulnerable. All this plays into Portugal’s hands. They’re a team in form and a team that can hurt any opposition in a multitude of ways when the opportunity to do so arises.
Conclusion
If this game were to be played on paper, then you could see why Portugal are the team that most people will expect to come out on top, even in the first leg, which is to be played in Copenhagen. Form-wise, Portugal are also strong, and they’re beginning to purr under Roberto Martinez, which makes them dangerous opponents for anyone, not just Denmark. If Denmark can take something away with them to Portugal for the return leg, then they could be in with a chance, but it will require them to be disciplined throughout. A positive result in the first leg for Portugal could be enough.
