Denmark vs Spain Prediction: Back the Double Chance (home win/draw) @ 5/6

The Nations League still doesn't have a good TV here in the UK, so Friday's Denmark vs Spain encounter will be streamed live on YouTube from 19:45.

Ahead of kick-off, our Spain Football expert previews this one and picks out his two Best Bets as he takes us through his Denmark vs Spain Predictions...

Denmark and Spain are battling it out for top spot in their UEFA Nations League group. The visitors need just a point in Copenhagen to seal it, while Denmark are hoping to book their quarter-final place on Friday. 

Reigning Nations League holders Spain are already there, having taken 10 points from their opening four matches. Despite a host of injuries for many of their Euro 2024 stars, La Roja have been comfortably the most impressive side in this group so far. 

They were dominant when they hosted Denmark in Murcia last month, having 25 attempts to their opponents' three, but they struggled to find a breakthrough until Martín Zubimendi fired in the only goal of the game from range in the 79th minute. 

Zubimendi is one of the players who has really taken advantage of the injury problems that Luis de la Fuente has been dealing with.  

The Spain boss went as far as to describe the Real Sociedad man as the second best holding midfielder in the world, behind the currently sidelined Rodri, last month. While that may be a bit of a stretch, the 25-year-old is a classy performer and he's testament to the incredible depth that De la Fuente has at his disposal. 

David Raya is another back-up player who is shining in this Nations League campaign. With Unai Simon out injured, the Arsenal keeper has started all four group matches and conceded just one goal. 

The likes of Pedro Porro, Álex Baena and Dani Vivian have also staked their claims for more regular inclusion with some impressive performances as Spain have won all three games, since being held to a 0-0 draw in Serbia on matchday one. 

Including their Extra Time win over Germany at Euro 2024, it's now 12 victories in 13 games, but they'll be anticipating their toughest test of this Nations League campaign to date on Friday. 

Denmark have only lost three of their last 20 internationals and none of those defeats were at home. Their record in Copenhagen in recent years has been really impressive and they've won 10 of their last 11 home fixtures overall. 

That run includes 2-0 victories over both Serbia and Switzerland, which got their Nations League campaign off to the perfect start in September. 

While they couldn't back that up away to Spain last month, a 2-2 draw in Switzerland in their most recent match leaves them very well-placed to secure a top two finish in this group. Christian Eriksen scored a Second Half leveller in that game and the Manchester United midfielder remains a key figure for his country. 

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has played well alongside Eriksen in this group and should ensure the Danes are competitive in the middle of the park against a talented Spanish midfield. 

This match also marks the start of a new era for Denmark. They've been under caretaker management so far in this group, following the departure of their long-serving boss Kasper Hjulmand. However, former Brentford assistant Brian Riemer has since taken over on a permanent basis and it's something of a baptism of fire for the 46-year-old, as his reign starts with the visit of the European champions. 

Team News: 

Riemer's first Denmark squad features a few surprises with three uncapped players involved, including Brentford defender Mads Roerslev and Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen. 

Wing-back Joakim Mæhle has been forced to withdraw through injury, but overall, Denmark are in better shape than was the case last month with key defender Joachim Andersen available again. 

Denmark have tended to go with three at the back in recent years and Riemer may continue with that approach here. He must decide whether to place his faith in Rasmus Højlund to lead the line, despite the Manchester United man's disappointing return of just two goals for club and country this term. 

As for Spain, they are missing a number of their Euro 2024 regulars with Unai Simón, Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Rodri and Lamine Yamal all currently injured. 

Aston Villa's Pau Torres has also withdrawn from the squad which features a number of inexperienced players. 21-year-old Marc Casadó, a virtually unknown name three months ago, has been rewarded for his fine form for Barcelona with a first call-up. Uncapped Porto striker Samu Omorodion is another notable inclusion. 

Denmark vs Spain Odds

Spain are priced at 10/11 to win the game and guarantee themselves seeding in the quarter-final draw. Denmark are available at 100/30 to pick up all the points, while the Draw is priced at 23/10. 

If you're expecting goals in this game, Both teams to score is on offer at 10/11. You can also back Over 2.5 goals at 11/10, while Spain and Both teams to score is available at 16/5. 

There was just the one when the sides met in October though and Under 1.5 goals is priced at 2/1 here, a winning bet in two of La Roja's four Nations League games to date. You can also back Both teams to score - No at 4/5. 

Denmark are available at 6/4 to win either half, while you can back Rasmus Højlund to end his goal drought by scoring first at 17/2. The striker is also priced at 3/1 to score anytime. 

From a visiting perspective, Álvaro Morata leads the way at 9/5 to score anytime. You can also back Fabián Ruiz, the only player from either country to have scored more than once in this Nations League campaign, to score anytime at 11/2. 

*You can check out all of our Football Odds over at betfred.com

Bet 1 - Denmark or Draw @ 5/6 

Spain have coped well with their injury problems to date, but this is a really tough fixture for them and the absence of Lamine Yamal is significant. We saw how Barcelona's attacking threat drastically decreased without the teenager in La Liga last weekend and while the visitors may look to get more of the ball to Nico Williams as a result, the Athletic Club winger hasn't been in great form this season. 

That bodes well for Denmark's chances of competing in this game and with a big crowd behind them at Parken in Copenhagen, they are usually a force to be reckoned with.  

The appointment of a new permanent manager should also ensure the home players are not lacking motivation and I fancy the hosts to get a result here, so I'm backing Denmark or Draw in the Double Chance market at 5/6. 

Bet 2 - Under 2.5 goals & Under 11.5 corners @ 11/8 

Spain's progress in the summer was largely a result of their willingness to be bold and really attack the flanks. However, with Lamine Yamal missing and with no real incentive to go and chase the victory here, given a point will guarantee them top spot, we could see a slightly more conservative version of De la Fuente's side in this game. 

He may look to get both Pedri and Dani Olmo into the eleven, which could result in a slightly narrower approach, with much of the game likely to be played in the middle of the park. Denmark are also strong centrally, but often lack that killer touch in the final third and I can see a relatively tight game developing, so I'm using the Bet Builder to back Under 2.5 goals and Under 11.5 corners at 11/8. 

Mark Sochon primarily covers Spanish Football for us at Betfred Insights. You can check out Mark's Football Betting Tips along with those from the rest of the Betfred Insights writers on our Football home page...