FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Czechia vs Denmark - Betting Tips, Odds & Prediction

Czechia and Denmark meet in Prague on Wednesday morning New Zealand time at the epet ARENA in a FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff final. One of these sides will be heading to North America this summer - and there’s a goals market here paying above $2.20 that I think offers real value.

In this Czechia vs Denmark preview, I’ll break down form, squad availability and the tactical battle that could decide it. Both teams got through their semi-finals last Thursday, but in wildly different fashion. I’ve watched a lot of these qualifiers and that contrast is a big deal: Czechia have resilience, while Denmark have control. 

The question is which one holds up under the pressure of a one-off final with 20 years of World Cup absence weighing on the hosts.

Czechia

Czechia finished second in qualifying Group L on 16 points from eight matches, comfortably behind Croatia but well clear of Montenegro and the Faroe Islands. Their semi-final against Ireland was rough though. They trailed twice, needing a late equaliser to force extra time, then prevailed on penalties. It was ugly and chaotic - but they got through.

Manager Miroslav Koubek has only been in charge since December. I like the way Czechia set up in that Ireland match, though. They absorbed pressure and changed shape in the second half. The grit they showed is exactly what you need in knockout football. 

Patrik Schick is their obvious attacking threat - four goals in the group stage plus a penalty in the semi-final against Ireland. Pavel Sulc has had a brilliant season at Lyon with 11 Ligue 1 goals so far, and he gives them options behind Tomas Chory. Tomas Soucek is expected to return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench against Ireland. His aerial presence in midfield will be key.

Team News: Vaclav Cerny missed selection through injury. Adam Hlozek and David Jemelka are also out. Soucek, Michal Sadilek and Jan Kliment could all come into the starting lineup.

Predicted Lineup: Kovar; Holes, Krejci, Hranac; Coufal, Provod, Soucek, Sadilek; Schick, Sulc; Chory.

Denmark

Denmark’s 4-0 demolition of North Macedonia was the perfect warmup for this clash - they were in absolute control.

However, they are carrying some heavy injuries into this fixture. Kasper Schmeichel, Andreas Christensen, Rasmus Kristensen, Patrick Dorgu, Jannik Vestergaard, Philip Billing, Yussuf Poulsen and Andreas Skov Olsen are all unavailable. That’s a huge amount of experience missing. Joachim Andersen returns from suspension, which helps, but their defence is patched together.

Rasmus Hojlund leads the line and has had a strong season at Napoli - 10 Serie A goals in 26 appearances. He’s got the physicality to bully defenders and the pace to get in behind. Isaksen’s confidence is sky-high after last week and Damsgaard can unlock tight defences with one pass. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg runs things in the middle and sets the tempo. Denmark are comfortable in possession and dangerous on transitions.

Team News: Schmeichel, Christensen, Vestergaard, Kristensen, Dorgu, Billing, Poulsen and Skov Olsen are all sidelined. Andersen is available again after suspension.

Predicted Lineup: Hermansen; Bah, Norgaard, Andersen, Maehle; Hjulmand, Hojbjerg; Isaksen, Froholdt, Damsgaard; Hojlund.

• Czechia have not beaten Denmark in seven meetings since a 3-0 win at Euro 2004 (five draws, two losses).
• Denmark have scored at least twice in each of their last six international matches, netting 20 goals across that stretch.
• Czechia came from 2-0 down to beat Republic of Ireland on penalties in the semi-final. Denmark beat North Macedonia 4-0.
• Czechia scored 20 goals and conceded 10 across eight qualifying group matches. Denmark scored 20 and conceded just seven.
• The winner joins World Cup Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.

Denmark are rightly the favourites but I don’t think this is as one-sided as the odds suggest. Czechia at home, with a crowd desperate to see their country at a World Cup for the first time since 2006 - that’s a big factor.

I do think Denmark will win, even with their long injury list. Their front line of Hojlund and Isaksen backed by Damsgaard is dangerous. But Schick will get chances. He always does. Czechia’s set-piece threat with Soucek and Krejci in the box is a real concern for Denmark’s makeshift defence.

My gut says Denmark win, but both sides score. I’m leaning towards 2-1, maybe 3-2 if things open up in the second half. For anyone scanning football betting options on NZ betting sites for this one, I’d be targeting the goals market over the match result.

Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals @ $2.75

Czechia have scored in every home qualifier this cycle and Schick has been their most clinical finisher throughout. They’re not going to sit back for 90 minutes in a match of this magnitude - not with the weight of a 20-year World Cup absence behind them.

Denmark, even with the injuries, have scored two or more in six consecutive internationals. Hojlund has been excellent and Isaksen is full of confidence after that brace against North Macedonia.

All this to say, I expect goals. At $2.75 for BTTS and over 2.5, if you’re looking to get involved using betting apps NZ, this is the market I’d be all over.