Denmark vs Portugal Prediction: Betting Tips & Odds

Portugal have won both of their games under Jorge Jesus, and Parken is next.

They face Denmark in Copenhagen at 7:45am on Friday NZT in League A Group 4 of the UEFA Nations League, already three points clear of the Danes. Portugal lost 1-0 on this ground the last time they visited, in the first leg of their 2025 quarter-final.

For this Denmark vs Portugal preview, I’ve gone back through both teams’ games from the last week, and Portugal’s selection is where most of the intrigue is.

I’m keen on a $4.00 shot that needs goals at both ends, and it’s the pick of my football betting tips for Friday.

Denmark

I’d give Denmark a pass mark for the week, just.

They were 2-0 down in Oslo inside 18 minutes and fought back through a Mikkel Damsgaard free-kick and a Rasmus Hojlund header from a corner. Erling Haaland then won it for Norway off a short corner routine with 16 minutes left.

Sunday against Wales was more comfortable. Denmark had double the Welsh shot count, and a Ben Davies own goal plus a Gustav Isaksen finish came in the second half, after Isaksen had an earlier volley chalked off by VAR.

Their midfield worries me more than anything. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg said after Oslo that his partnership with Morten Hjulmand doesn’t work. He’s since apologised to the group for saying it publicly, but I’m not sure a fix arrives in four days.

This is also a squad still getting over March. A penalty shootout loss to the Czech Republic in their World Cup play-off final knocked them out, and these are their first competitive games since.

Team News: Dorgu has gone back to Manchester United with a hamstring injury. Dolberg, Christensen and Bah are also injured, and Eriksen isn’t in the squad.

Predicted Lineup: Jorgensen; Kristensen, Andersen, Provstgaard, Maehle; Hjulmand, Hojbjerg; Isaksen, Froholdt, Damsgaard; Hojlund.

Portugal

Portugal have two wins, but neither of them have been convincing.

Joao Felix’s deflected strike was the only goal against Wales in Lisbon, even though Portugal had 22 shots to five. Cristiano Ronaldo had seven of those and scored none, missing with the goal gaping early in the second half before VAR ruled another one out for offside.

Jesus planned to give the 41-year-old the last half-hour in Oslo after his 70 minutes against Wales, then decided the game didn’t call for him. Goncalo Ramos came in and chipped the winner after Orjan Nyland passed straight to him, and Felix scored again as well.

That points to Ronaldo starting here. I’m not convinced it’s the right call, with Felix and Ramos both scoring while he’s been misfiring.

Their defence has let in one goal in two games. Check the Portugal price on your NZ betting apps once the team sheets are out, because Jesus has rotated a lot so far.

Team News: Fernandes missed the Norway game through injury and has stayed with the squad, but his fitness is in doubt.

Predicted Lineup: Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves; Neto, Felix, Conceicao; Ronaldo.

• Portugal beat Denmark 5-2 after extra time in Lisbon in March 2025.
• Portugal are the reigning Nations League champions.
• Portugal went out of the World Cup to Spain in the last 16.
• Denmark have scored four goals in two Nations League games this season.
• Ronaldo has won 234 caps for Portugal.

Portugal win this, but Denmark may well give them a fright or two.

Hojlund scored the winner on this ground in March 2025 and celebrated with a Ronaldo impression, so there’s no shortage of needle for the home crowd.

Still, Portugal’s midfield is a level above Denmark’s right now. I can’t see Hojbjerg and Hjulmand coping with Vitinha and Joao Neves for 90 minutes.

A draw worries me a little. Denmark are at home, and Ronaldo’s return could slow Portugal’s attack down after two games where the younger forwards did the scoring.

My gut says 2-1 Portugal, with the winner coming late.

Portugal to Win and Both Teams to Score @ $4.00

I’m fairly sure Denmark score.

Both of their goals in Oslo came from dead balls, and Portugal conceded from one there too, with Haaland scoring from close range after Diogo Costa parried a Martin Odegaard free-kick. Portugal’s only clean sheet so far came against a Wales side without Harry Wilson.

Portugal scoring is the easier half. They’ve created plenty in both games, and whoever Jesus picks up front, there’s a finisher in form.

At $4.00 with many of the new betting sites in NZ, it’s a little over double the straight Portugal win price, and I’m happy with that trade.