Group E leaders Poland travel to Denmark in effort to preserve their six-point lead in front of Age Hareide’s men as 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers head into closing stages.

Denmark hanging by a thread

Danish national team is not enjoying the best of transition under the new manager Age Hareide. The experienced Norwegian tactician took the helm from long-serving manager Morten Olsen in March 2016, but the Danes are yet to adapt and to fully get accustomed to their current boss. Danish team hasn’t had much luck at the international level over recent years, but the new wave of young and exciting players is starting to offer some promise that the future might be bright for former European champions. Danish 1992 success is long way off but still remains fresh in the memory of football fans who are eager to see their team get close to repeating the remarkable success. Having missed a chance to fight for European glory last year in France, Denmark hoped for better luck in attempt to reach the Russian qualification. Still, after six matches in group E, Hareide’s men are siting third, level on points with second-placed Montenegro. Inconsistency took its toll and it is now up to Danes to fight brave and hard in a crucial match against group leaders in attempt to close the gap at the top.

Age Hareide is aware of the challenge resting in front of his side. The Poland match will be a nice tribute to William Kvist who is celebrating a decade with Denmark national team, while this occasion is marked by the return of former Arsenal striker Niklas Bendtner who received a call up to replace Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen.

Poland aiming to finish what they’ve started

Three goals from Poland’s main man Robert Lewandowski were enough to see off resilient Denmark in a 3-2 win last October and there is no doubt Poland will once again turn to their in-form forward as they look to secure a double against the Danes. Bayern Munich man has come under some criticism lately but he has responded in the best way possible. With 11 goals on his tally, Lewandoswki in neck to neck with Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2018 World Cup qualifiers Top Scorers list. Four goals in last two matches for Poland offer great promise ahead of the trip to Telia Parken. Poland travel to Denmark on the back of their best FIFA ranking ever as now the fifth-place side on the planet attempts to justify the favourites tag slapped on their back. Adam Nawalka is doing a remarkable job with his team which is playing an exciting brand of football. Poland are without a defeat since their unfortunate Euro 2016 elimination at the hands of future champions Portugal and will surely be hoping to extend the purple patch.

Artur Jedrzejczyk, Michael Pazdan, Maciej Makuszewski, Krzysztof Maczynski and Filip Starzynski have been ruled out of the match, whereas Slavomir Peszko is the latest addition to the injury list as he licked up a ligament damage during the 1-1 draw between Lechia Gdansk and Wisla Krakow.

Verdict

Poland travel to Denmark with a firm favourites’ tag slapped on their back. Hosts have shown signs of improvement but their struggles are obvious and we believe they will have no response against the in-form group leaders led by prolific Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski.

Top pick: Poland   3.35 (40/17) @Unibet

Alternative pick 1: Robert Lewandowski to score anytime   2.50 (6/4) @888sport

Alternative pick 2: Poland/Over 1.5   5.00 (4/1) @PaddyPower