- A Denmark win will take them one step closer to a third successive finals appearance, while North Macedonia are gunning for a first ever trip to the World Cup.
- Denmark are a much better team on paper and will start as heavy favourites, but North Macedonia are a disciplined, well-organised side capable of making a game like this awkward.
- This is a classic chess match between an expansive, pressing side (Denmark) and a deep, compact defensive block (North Macedonia) that can be effective in transition.
Lions can pounce on this play-off semi-final
Denmark have the superior form, greater attacking firepower and home ground advantage to see off a disciplined North Macedonia side in what will be a tense, tactical battle at Parken Stadium on Thursday. The Lions of the Balkans will be well organised and can make this game difficult for the Danes, but still look unlikely to get the result that would put them one win away from their first appearance in a FIFA World Cup finals.
The bookmakers are right to make Denmark heavy odds-on favourites (1.3) for this play-off clash, although there is a bit of value in backing the visitors to at least earn a draw and possibly shock the hosts by taking the win at 9.5. North Macedonia certainly have the tools to mix it up with the Danes on the counter attack, while the cool, damp conditions that are likely to greet both sides in Copenhagen shouldn’t suit the home side’s high-tempo game.
Brian Riemer’s Denmark are a well-balanced side that have enjoyed some recent success playing a front-heavy system (4-3-3 or 3-4-3). The Lions are a prolific pressing side that are direct, pacey and will aim to put teams under pressure with the quality of their movement and set pieces.
Tight block and transition will be North Macedonia’s play
They finished second in a tough qualifying group for Euro 2026, but still booked a play-off berth. Riemer has brought some energy and belief back to the side after taking charge, while his team are clearly the best in the pool with an array of quality that is greater than the sum of their individual parts.
North Macedonia came through the Nations League route to book their play-off spot and the fact they finished third in a group that contained Belgium and Wales was no mean feat. Goce Sedloski’s men set up in a compact, low-to-mid block and are a counter-attacking team that will try to frustrate the hosts and spring the odd dangerous move through Eljif Elmas and Bojan Miovski.
Morten Hjulmand and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg are the ball-winners and drivers for Denmark with Mikkel Damsgaard providing the creativity and set-piece threat from wide areas. Rasmus Højlund, the top scorer in qualifying, is their top man up front with his pace, physicality and finishing prowess making him a threat in transition and on set pieces.
North Macedonia have goals in them
North Macedonia have no real star names, but do have some good players to play off Elmas’ skill and vision. Elmas is their playmaker and can unlock defences with the incisive pass or late run, while Enis Bardhi is their captain, set-piece taker and penalty specialist. Miovski is their most reliable scoring outlet and can pounce on the break.
The visitors could make this close to Denmark by keeping it tight and hitting them on the quick, but we expect Riemer’s side to just have too much quality and firepower to stop them from winning at home. The 'Both teams to score - No' market is priced at 1.73 here, reflecting the fact that Denmark will control the game and will be expected to keep a clean sheet on the way to a vital win.
