Denmark sit one victory away from qualification for the semi-final of the European Under-21 Championship, while Serbia are clinging on to mathematical hope.
There is a small gulf in points between the two sides – two points separate the pair – but there is no hiding that the requirements for progression are contrasting.
However, with the last two meetings between the duo ending in draws, the conundrum of who is to qualify from Group A could be made more difficult.
Statistically, Denmark are by the far the more superior attacking force, registering 23 total attempts thus far, compared to their opponents’ 11. Although, when narrowed down to attempts which hit the target, Denmark’s lead is scythed down to a slender one.
After recent events, both of Tuesday’s opponents will be missing one familiar face in the starting line-up. For the Danes, Jonas Knudsen is absent, while the Orlici will be without Darko Brasanac. Both players are serving one-match bans.
Running simultaneous to the other match in the group – Czech Republic v Germany – Denmark cannot simply play for a draw and hope that Germany dispose of their opponents, as has been suggested by more cynical onlookers of late.
If the Serbia that played Germany in the first group game turns up, then Denmark should rightly be worried over their chances of progression, but if they play like they did in their demolition against Czech Republic then Mladen Dodic will surely be ruing what might have been.
Speaking of the coaches, Dodic has spent the days leading up to the match speaking up his team’s concentration and mental strength, highlighting its importance in learning from such a humiliating demise last time out.
Denmark tactician Thorup has said that his team have been analysing what lies ahead, with the aim being to reproduce the first-half performance seen in the loss against Germany, rather than the second.
A first group stage exit in three attempts lies ahead for Denmark, their fate is in their hands, but watch out for the speedy Serbians who are looking for an upset.
Form Guide: Denmark (L-W-D-W-D) Serbia (L-D-W-L-W)
Expected Starting XIs
Denmark: Jensen; Remmer, Scholz, Vestergaard, Christensen; Christensen, Norgaard, Thomsen; Sisto; Brock-Madsen, Fischer
Serbia: Dmitrovic; Petrovic, Spajic, Pantic, Stojkovic; Djuricic, Milunovic, Jojic, Causic; Srnic, Pesic
