Preview: England v Denmark – including key players, team news and where to watch EURO2024 clash

A repeat of the semi-finals of EURO 2020 in Group C sees England facing Denmark, with Gareth Southgate’s side attempting to seal qualification to the EURO2024 knockout stages with a game to spare. Denmark will be seeking a more convincing performance after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Slovenia last time out.

England travel to Frankfurt top of the group but their 1-0 win over Serbia was not overly convincing, with a tame second-half performance in particular catching the eye. Winning the opening game of a tournament is never straightforward and plenty of positives will be taken after solid defensive work. 

It was far from a perfect start for Denmark in Group C, meanwhile, with The Red-Whites dropping two points to heavy underdogs Slovenia. Christian Eriksen opening the scoring was a touching moment for the inspiring midfielder after the unprecedented events of EURO 2020.

The previous meeting in the semi-finals was an incredibly tense affair with England needing extra time to prevail 2-1 winners. In what is expected to be another close tie this time around, England’s attacking talent could be the difference against a stern Danish defence.

The highly-anticipated clash will take place at the Deutsche Bank Park in the bustling city of Frankfurt.

What is the latest team news? 

Gareth Southgate will be pleased to have made it through a fierce game with Serbia without any new injury worries. Kieran Trippier who required treatment late in the second half has trained with the squad ahead of the clash. 

Luke Shaw is still unavailable as he continues training away from the squad in a bid to return to full fitness. Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to keep his place in midfield with no changes expected.

Kasper Hjulmand also has the luxury of being able to select the same squad that lined up in their opener with Slovenia. After a lack of intensity in Denmark’s attacking movement and the way in which they pressed the ball, star performer from their incredible EURO 2020 run, Joachim Maehle, could be preferred to start. 

Who are the key players?

After a remarkable season with Real Madrid and a well-taken header to break the deadlock last time out, it is impossible to ignore how important Jude Bellingham can be to this England side. The 20-year-old midfielder has enjoyed an extraordinary rise in his first season with the Spanish giants, scoring 23 goals on the way to winning a league and Champions League double.

Aside from the array of attacking talent at Southgate’s disposal, Marc Guéhi put in an impressive, assured performance in his major finals debut in the absence of Harry Maguire in the heart of the England defence. The 23-year-old centre-back has become a key part of Crystal Palace’s defence in recent years and dealt with the fierce Alexander Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović with complete composure throughout.

Providing a test for Guéhi in this clash is Manchester United’s 20-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund. If Denmark are to come away from the Deutsche Bank Park with a positive result, the talented forward’s performance will be crucial.

After scoring seven goals in the EURO qualifiers and a further 10 Premier League goals this season, Hojlund has begun to settle in England and will relish playing against familiar opponents. His relentless work rate and willingness to run will pose a different threat than the strikers of Serbia.

What did the managers say?

Gareth Southgate defended his defensively resilient side but admitted the performance will need to improve: “We know we have good players, we know we can play better than the other day. But I thought the players in an incredibly pressurised moment started exceptionally well and defended brilliantly throughout the whole game.“

Following the narrow 1-0 win over Serbia, there was a clear frustration among England fans but Southgate discussed the pressure his youthful side are under: “Emotionally there’s so much tension I don’t think people can really understand what it is like for young players. We are pleased to have got a result from that and we know we have to be good tomorrow.”

As for Denmark, Kasper Hjulmand expressed the importance for his side to be optimistic to advance no matter the opponent: “Are we favourites? No. Is it a failure if we don’t win the Euros? No. But I think we need to have the dream and the ambitions because that sets the standards.”

The Danish manager expressed how they will use the emotion from the semi-final defeat at EURO 2020 to their advantage: “Those kinds of games give you motivation and they inspire you and make you realise you can do it. I think those kinds of defeats make us learn and make us grow, but yes it motivated us.”

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off for England v Denmark is scheduled for 17:00 BST (18:00) on Thursday, 20th June.

How can I watch England v Denmark in Group C of EURO2024?

For those watching in the United Kingdom, England v Denmark will be broadcast live by BBC.

FromTheSpot will continue to cover this match and the entire EURO2024 tournament. Stay updated via our website and our X account.