- Team style: Denmark have played a high-tempo, front-loaded system under Brian Riemer since taking charge.
- Opposition style: North Macedonia have been pragmatic and disciplined under Goce Sedloski, who was appointed in December.
- Head-to-head: These two teams have played each other three times previously with one win apiece and one draw.
Parksen a Fortress
Match context
The stakes couldn’t be much higher with a FIFA World Cup semi-final play-off game at stake for both Denmark and North Macedonia on Thursday, but it is the Danes who are heavy favorites with bookmakers at 1.3. The visitors are 9.5 to win while the tie is 5.1.
But we feel that this should be a lot closer than the odds suggest with North Macedonia likely to sit back, stay in the game and nick an opportunity on the counter attack. Sedloski’s side are in fine form, but a recent 7-1 defeat to Wales was followed by some impressive results in the Nations League as they drew with Belgium, Kazakhstan and Latvia, before thrashing Liechtenstein 5-0.
Tactics and qualification
North Macedonia secured their play-off place via the Nations League after finishing third in a group behind Belgium and Wales, earning them this play-off spot. Goce Sedloski has brought a lot of discipline and organisation to this team since taking over in December.
They are compact and well organised, usually setting up in a low-to-mid block and look to counter attack, as much as possible.
Key players
- North Macedonia’s Elmas is their playmaker and he likes to make late runs from deep or to spring the offside trap.
- Captain Enis Bardhi is a penalty-taker and set-piece specialist, while Bojan Miovski is a reliable outlet on the break.
Denmark have firepower
Brian Riemer has brought energy and an attacking mindset to Denmark since he took charge earlier this year. They are a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 side that presses high and looks to dominate games with tempo and width.
Rasmus Højlund, the top scorer in qualifying, leads the line and is a big, powerful forward with pace who is a threat on the transition and at set-pieces. Morten Hjulmand and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg are the ball-winners and pace-setters in the middle of the park, while Mikkel Damsgaard provides creativity and can also take a set piece.
Denmark are missing several depth forwards through injury, but they still have their core of starters.
Denmark’s home field advantage is huge here and they are in good form with two wins, two draws and one loss in their last five games in all competitions. They thumped Belarus 6-0 away from home and beat Greece 3-1 at home recently. The Danes finished second in their Euro 2026 qualifying group to claim this play-off place after a strong home record and impressive attacking form.
Both teams to score - No is a play
We’re happy to have the visitors in this game as there will be a chess match element to this and the hosts have the superior form, attacking firepower and home advantage. But Sedloski’s team is a tough opponent and will be right up for this game, so they can make it closer than the bookmakers think.
Rainy, cool conditions in Copenhagen shouldn’t help the game flow as much either, as Danish pressing and passing will be harder, while North Macedonia’s counter attacking play could flourish. A Denmark win would take them one step closer to a third successive World Cup finals, while North Macedonia are chasing a historic first appearance.
