Peru v Denmark - Betting Preview

Saturday evening’s Peru v Denmark clash is one of the most fascinating World Cup Group games.

Peru’s pre-World Cup form has been impressive and Los Incas are unbeaten in their last 15 outings and they face the Danes, whose last competitive defeat came in October 2016.

One of the best-supported nations in the tournament, Peru have been boosted by a supreme court ruling that allows their star player Paolo Guerrero to participate. The judge froze the 34-year-old’s 14-month ban for testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine.

The veteran captain scored five times in 17 appearances as Peru qualified for the first time in 36 years. But he has plenty of help up front in the lively Jefferson Farfan and Edison Flores.

Peru have reached the quarter-finals twice before and they are third favourites to qualify according to the Group C odds.

Both teams qualified via the playoffs, with Denmark reaching the finals after missing out in 2014.

The Danes have reached the knockout stages in three of their four previous World Cup appearances but never progressed past the quarter-finals (1998).

While both sides will set up fairly defensively, Denmark will hope their imposing midfield – they average 6ft 1” – will use their height to advantage. In reality, Tottenham man

Christian Eriksen is the key component. He found the net 11 times in qualifying and was

directly involved in 56% of Denmark’s goals.

There may be little to choose between the two, although this game could be crucial to the outcome of the group, since France are expected to top the group and Australia would appear the whipping boys.

Yet those thinking a draw will be the outcome, might note one trend: Denmark generally lose or win at the World Cup. Only two of their 16 games at the finals have ended in draws (W8 L6) and they have only kept one clean sheet in their last 11 World Cup games (against France in 2002).

Verdict:

Peru 1-2 Denmark - the Correct Score Odds are 9/1.

With both sides setting up in defensive formations, taking over 2.5 goals in the game comes with its risks. Neither side will want to lose the opener, but this game is pivotal to the outcome of who goes through. We therefore reckon this could be a little more open than many predict. Denmark are an improving side and with Eriksen influential, the Europeans have every right to think they can take the points.

Check out all the latest odds for Peru v Denmark