High flying Denmark start their FIFA World Cup campaign against Tunisia at the Education City stadium. This will be the first encounter between the two sides in a World Cup.
Denmark have established themselves as one of the most astute international sides in world football after the Euros last year. They come into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over the defending champions France in a friendly. They have managed to beat France in their last 2 meetings.
Denmark vs Tunisia confirmed lineups
Denmark XI (3-4-3): Schmeichel; Kjaer, Andersen, Christensen; Kristensen, Hojberg, Delaney, Maehle; Olsen, Dolberg, Eriksen
Tunisia XI (3-4-2-1): Dahmen; Talbi, Meriah, Bronn; Drager, Skhiri, Laidouni, Abdi; Slimane, Msakni; Jebali
Denmark will face defending champions France up next and will finish their group campaign with a game agaisnt Australia. Tunisia will come up against Australia and France in their next two fixture respectively.
Why Denmark Will Beat Tunisia
If you don’t know the story of Denmark star Christian Eriksen, don’t worry. You can read about it here, and you will likely hear about it every time you tune in to a Denmark match during the 2022 World Cup.
The Danes’ best player suffered a cardiac incident on the pitch during Euro 2020 (held in 2021 due to COVID-19) and almost died. With their leader sidelined, Denmark banded together, got out of their group, and made a run to the semifinals, losing to England in a shootout.
Now a year older, wiser, and with Eriksen back healthy and in the squad, Denmark is ready to again make a big international tournament run.
Why Tunisia Will Beat Denmark
Tunisia might be small, but they are no pushovers. They boast one of the best midfields in Africa, with Ellyes Skhiri of Cologne and 25-year-old Aissa Laidouni — who is poised for a move from Hungary to a big European league — leading the way.
With these two, manager Jalel Kadri will have his pick of Manchester United teenager (19) Hannibal Mejbri, on loan at Birmingham City, or 23-year-old Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, who could also move from the Tunisian league to Europe following the World Cup. Together with Skhiri and Laidouni, either Mejbri or Romdhane should have the freedom to be a playmaker.
The countries and football programs of Denmark and Tunisia are remarkably similar. Both are smaller countries on their respective continents, and despite the size and population deficits, they both field top teams in their region.
The midfield battle between these two teams will be fascinating to watch and will have a large impact on the match. However, it is the team that can figure out how to take the midfield service and put the ball in the net that will win this game.
While neither team has an international superstar at striker, Kasper Dolberg has been better for his national team than his club teams in recent years. Even though he’s struggled since moving to Sevilla this season, look for the big Dane to be the one to put in the goal that earns his country a 1-0 victory and three points in their opening 2022 World Cup match.