Denmark host Portugal in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final on Thursday.
Denmark vs Portugal best bets
- Portugal to win – 5/4 with BetMGM
- Portugal over 1.5 goals – 5/4 with bet365
- Bruno Fernandes to score any time – 7/2 with Sky Bet
Denmark vs Portugal odds
Find the latest match odds for Denmark vs Portugal. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Denmark vs Portugal predictions
The quarter-finals are a new addition to the Nations League this season and we will be treated to four fascinating ties in the coming days.
Portugal know what it is like to win this tournament. They went all the way in 2019, beating the Netherlands in the final. Just try telling Cristiano Ronaldo this is not a major trophy.
Indeed, while the Nations League does not have the same prestige as the World Cup or the European Championship, it is definitely a prize worth winning.
All eight quarter-finalists will be going all-out for victory in this international break with four places in the Finals, which will be held in June in whichever of Germany or Italy wins their tie, up for grabs.
Portugal are looking to become the first repeat winners of a competition now in its fourth edition. They were pretty underwhelming at the European Championship last summer, exiting in the quarter-finals after a penalty shoot-out defeat by France.
Portugal flattered to deceive before then, losing to Georgia in the group phase and then relying on spot-kicks to squeeze past Slovenia in the round of 16.
The jury is still out on Roberto Martinez’s managerial credentials, but he did at least guide Portugal to a comfortable first-place finish in their Nations League group in the autumn.
No team accumulated more points than Portugal’s 14, which came courtesy of four wins and two draws in meetings with Croatia, Scotland and Poland.
Their squad is packed full of talent. Paris Saint-Germain trio Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Vitinha showed their class against Liverpool recently. Bruno Fernandes continues to do the business for Manchester United, with Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva and Diogo Jota also involved.
For better or worse, Ronaldo is still an integral member of the group. His presence in the side was arguably more hindrance than help at Euro 2024, but Ronaldo popped up with some vital goals in the Nations League group phase even at the ripe old age of 39.
Ronaldo has since turned 40 and he has his heart set on playing at the World Cup next summer. Before then, the Portuguese legend would love to lead his country to another Nations League success – but Denmark are the first obstacle in their path.
Denmark vs Portugal betting tips
Can Denmark spring a surprise when they meet Portugal in Copenhagen on Thursday?
Portugal to win
At the time, Danish football fans hoped that their team’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 was the start of a sustained spell in which they were regular participants in the latter stages of major tournaments.
In fact, Denmark peaked in that summer of 2021. They did not win any of their seven matches at World Cup 2022 and Euro 2024, and only squeezed past Serbia into second place in their Nations League group.
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Portugal are far from the finished product. Few teams in Europe can compete with them for talent, but Martinez’s side must show that their collective can at least be equal to the sum of its parts.
Balance and cohesion have been a problem for a while, but even though those doubts are likely to persist beyond Thursday, Portugal’s talent advantage should allow them to establish a first-leg lead.
Choose a Portugal win at 5/4 with BetMGM
Portugal over 1.5 goals
Scotland held Portugal to a 0-0 draw in the group stage, leading to criticism of their defensive approach from Ronaldo.
Martinez’s charges also drew 1-1 with Croatia after they had already secured top spot. In each of their four other games, Portugal scored at least two goals.
That bodes well for this trip to Copenhagen. Denmark actually finished the group phase with a strong defensive record, but Portugal possess the quality in forward areas (including multiple options off the bench) to have plenty of joy going forward.
If Denmark were to fall behind, they would need to take more risks in search of a way back into their home leg.
Yet with the talent they have up top, that would only play into Portugal’s hands.
Back Portugal to score over 1.5 goals at 5/4 with bet365
Bruno Fernandes to score any time
Fernandes might not be everyone’s cup of tea and it is fair to say he has a petulant streak, but no one can question his ability as a footballer.
Even in a dismal Manchester United season, Fernandes has continually stood up to be counted. Just think what he could do if he was playing for one of the best teams in Europe.
Fernandes is a crucial player for Portugal too, even though Ronaldo’s presence means he is not the main man.
The United captain did score twice in the group stage, though, and he has averaged 0.53 goals per international game since the start of 2022.
Fernandes looks like the standout pick in the anytime goalscorer market.
Tip Bruno Fernandes to score any time at 7/2 with Sky Bet
How to watch Denmark vs Portugal
- Location: Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Date and time: Thursday 20th March, 7.45pm.
- How to watch: TBC.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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