Denmark and Ukraine dey set to face each other for Odense Isstadion on Sunday evening for dia final international friendly match for this summer. De Rod-Hvide just play 0-0 draw with Democratic Republic of the Congo for dia last game, while Syn’o-Zhovti beat Poland 2-0 for Wroclaw.
Denmark wey dey number 20 for FIFA World Rankings, dem dey consider as best side outside Italy wey no go make this summer World Cup for North America. After dem suffer 4-2 defeat against Scotland for Glasgow for final gameweek, Brian Riemer side finish second for Europe qualification Group C, wey make dia World Cup hope rest for playoffs.
Even though dem cruise pass North Macedonia 4-0 for semi-final, De Rod-Hvide fall for final hurdle, drawing 2-2 with Czech Republic after extra time before dem lose for penalties. After disappointing draw with Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday, Denmark go dey eager to turn dia bad fortunes around against Ukraine, nation wey dem never lose to for home soil.
Much like Sunday opponents, Ukraine fall short of World Cup appearance by narrow margin as dem bow out for qualification playoffs. Syn’o-Zhovti finish second to France for Europe qualification Group D, before dem fall to convincing 3-1 defeat to Graham Potter Sweden for playoff semi-finals courtesy of Viktor Gyokeres hat-trick.
Di defeat mark di fifth consecutive World Cup wey Ukraine don get knocked out for qualification stage, with dia first and only finals appearance to date coming when Germany host di tournament for 2006. However, since dem miss this summer event, Ukraine don impress, claiming back-to-back victories against Albania and Poland, run of form wey dem go dey look to add to when dem travel to Odense on Sunday evening.
When these sides last meet for qualification stage of 2006 World Cup, Ukraine run out 1-0 winners for Kyiv thanks to Andriy Voronin second-half strike.
After retiring from national side, Denmark now dey without services of Christian Norgaard, Kasper Schmeichel and Jannik Vestergard, while Mikkel Damsgaard and Gustav Isaken don be omitted from this month squad. Following Wednesday draw with Democratic Republic of the Congo, e go no surprise if Riemer ring changes for visit of Ukraine with possible starts for Newcastle William Osula and West Ham United Mads Hermansen.
With e hard to see how Andrea Maldera first game in charge of Ukraine fit go better, e highly unlikely dat di 55-year-old go make huge changes to his starting 11 on Sunday evening. Following his opener against Poland, e look probable dat Roman Yaremchuk go once more be preferred to AS Roma Artem Dovbyk at striker, while Mykola Matviienko likely to deputise for vacant Illia Zabarnyi for Syn’o-Zhovti backline.
Denmark possible starting lineup: Hermansen; Kristensen, Christensen, Andersen, Maehle; Eriksen, Hojberg, Jensen; Daghim, Osula, Dorgu. Ukraine possible starting lineup: Trubin; Bondar, Sarapiy, Matviienko, Mykolenko; Ocheretko, Nazaryna; Yarmolenko, Tsygankov, Sudakov; Yaremchuk.
Currently experiencing rough run of form, Denmark go dey eager to turn dia fortunes around on Sunday evening before dem head into September UEFA Nations League campaign. However, after impressing for recent fixtures, Riemer men go certainly prove tough test for di home side and we think dem go play out cagey but entertaining draw for Odense.
