Holders Spain welcome League A Group D leaders Denmark in a fascinating top-two clash at Estadio Nueva Condomina.
SPN vs DEN Match Details
Date: Saturday, 12 October 2024 / Sunday, 13 October 2024
Time: 21:00 (CET), 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia
SPN vs DEN Match Preview
Spain started their Nations League defence in September, after winning the Euros in July, with a goalless draw against Serbia. It was the first time they were halted in a game since the 3-3 draw with Brazil back in March and failed to score since the 1-0 loss to Colombia a game before. However, the side got back their rhythm instantly in the second group game with a 4-1 victory over Switzerland despite going down to 10 men after just 20 minutes. Luis de la Fuente's side showed their ruthless character again to extend their streak to 12 matches in all competitions and stayed unbeaten in the Nations League since losing to the same opponents in September 2022. La Roja is now turning their attention to the top-of-the-group clash with leaders Denmark in the first of the two games in the competition during the October international window. Trailing by two points, Spain has the chance to leapfrog the Danes with a win and they will be quite confident of it having beaten the opposition 12 times out of 16 meetings.
While Spain dropped points, Denmark collected maximum points from their first two matches of the 2024/25 Nations League season after failing to win a single game in Euro 2024. Their exit from the competition from the last-16 stage facing the host Germany charged up the side with two 2-0 wins over Switzerland and Serbia. The latter was revenge for the scoreless draw they played against the Serbs in the group stage of the summer tournament. The victories came under the new boss Lars Knudsen who took charge after the departure of Kasper Hjulmand following the campaign, making an instant impact on the side. Denmark sits at the top of the group table but faces the first real challenge of the new era in the form of Euro winners Spain who are favourites to dislodge them from their position. The Danish Dynamites have just one away win in this meeting coming back in 1979 and haven’t won against La Roja this century, making the clash on Saturday extremely difficult for them.
SPN vs DEN Recent Form (all competitions)
SPN: WWWDW
DEN: DDLWW
SPN vs DEN Recent Form (Nations League)
SPN: WWDDW
DEN: WWLWW
SPN vs DEN Recent Form (Nations League 2024-25)
SPN: DW
DEN: WW
SPN vs DEN Squad
Spain
Goalkeepers: David Raya, Álex Remiro, Robert Sánchez
Defenders: Marc Cucurella, Óscar Mingueza, Dani Vivian, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Torres, Pau Cubarsí, Pedro Porro, Alejandro Grimaldo
Midfielders: Martín Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Alex Baena, Fabián Ruiz, Aleix García, Pedri González
Forwards: Álvaro Morata, Lamine Yamal, Yéremi Pino, Mikel Oyarzabal, Joselu Mato
Denmark
Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel, Frederik Rønnow, Mads Hermansen
Defenders: Jannik Vestergaard, Victor Nelsson, Victor Kristiansen, Patrick Dorgu, Alexander Bah, Rasmus Kristensen
Midfielders: Morten Hjulmand, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Christian Eriksen, Jens Stage
Forwards: Kasper Dolberg, Albert Gronbaek, Andreas Skov Olsen, Yussuf Poulsen, Jonas Wind, Gustav Isaksen, Rasmus Hojlund
SPN vs DEN Team News
Spain are without key players for the Nations League games in October with Rodri and then Dani Carvajal falling prey to ACL injuries. The former absence mean Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi will start at the heart of midfield. Le Normand, who is out of contention anyway receiving a straight red in the previous game, has suffered a head injury during his club duties with Atletico Madrid. In his absence, Pau Cubarsi is expected to get his second international start in central defence alongside Aymeric Laporte while Pedro Porro takes the right-back position. Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Nico Williams and Bryan Gil are the other players sidelined.
Denmark is also facing an injury crisis with Joachim Andersen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Christian Norgaard, Morten Frendrup and uncapped Rasmus Nicolaisen all forced to withdraw having initially been named in the squad. However, Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has returned after missing the last international break through injury and is in contention to start the match.
SPN vs DEN Predicted Lineups
Spain
Raya; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Baena
Denmark
Schmeichel; Kristensen, Vestergaard, Nelsson; Bah, Hojbjerg, Hjulmand, Kristiansen; Eriksen; Poulsen, Hojlund
SPN vs DEN head-to-head
Played - 16
SPN won - 12
Drawn - 2
DEN won - 2
SPN vs DEN Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Lamine Yamal
Vice-captain Pick: Fabian Ruiz
SPN vs DEN Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Schmeichel (Cr - 7.5)
DEF: Laporte (Cr - 8.5), Vestergaard (Cr - 8), Cucurella (Cr - 8)
MID: Eriksen (Cr - 9), Hojbjerg (Cr - 8.5), Ruiz (Cr - 9), Pedri (Cr - 8.5), Baena (Cr - 7)
FW: Morata (Cr - 9), Yamal (Cr - 8.5),
Vice-captain: Fabian Ruiz
Captain: Lamine Yamal
Spain vs Denmark Match Prediction
Spain has been too hot to handle over the past few months and their ruthless nature is unlikely to be challenged, that too at home. Denmark will offer a fight but it won’t be enough for them to prevent the host. We predict a 2-0 win for La Roja.
