Slovenia v Denmark predictions: Danes may be left frustrated

Kick-off time: Sunday 16 June, 17:00, Stuttgart

Slovenia and Denmark finished with identical records in qualifying Group H, both amassing 22 points to come through the section, and they renew their rivalry at the finals in Group C in Germany.

With fixtures against England and Serbia to come, this showdown carries great significance and it would be wrong to underestimate Slovenia in what is their first appearance at the European Championship finals for 24 years.

Denmark were 2-1 winners when these two last met in Copenhagen in November but it was a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in Ljubljana and there may not be as much between these two teams as the prices suggest.

The Danes topped the qualifying section courtesy of the better head-to-head record but both won seven, drew one and lost two of their ten matches, with Slovenia having a slightly better goal difference of +11.

While the Danes might have a touch more star quality, Slovenia have strong defensive foundations supported by a world-class shot-stopper in Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Since returning for his second spell as Slovenia manager, Matjaz Kek has lost only 12 of his 55 matches in charge and only two of their last 21 outings have resulted in defeat.

Slovenia have kept five clean sheets in their last ten international matches and recent friendly successes over the USA and Portugal highlight their improvement.

That suggests they may be able to frustrate a Denmark side who will be looking to respond to an underwhelming 2022 World Cup campaign when they were held to a goalless draw with Tunisia before enduring defeat against France and Australia to crash out in the group stages.

The Danes did reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020, where they suffered an extra-time defeat to runners-up England, but their knockout victories came against lesser lights in Wales and Czech Republic.

Manager Kasper Hjulmand will believe his side have what it takes to make the knockout stages, especially as his squad is littered with Premier League and Bundesliga stars.

Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund has made a strong start to his international career, netting seven goals from 14 caps, but he's part of a Denmark squad which is similar to those which they took to Euro 2020 and the World Cup.

Hojlund aside, there isn’t much fresh talent coming through their ranks and they may struggle to stamp their authority on a stubborn Slovenia side.

Denmark have kept only five clean sheets in their last 14 internationals and three of those shutouts came against Northern Ireland, San Marino and the Faroe Islands.

Slovenia have the abilty to avoid defeat and both teams to score - which landed in each of their qualifying meetings - also appeals.

Both teams have scored in five of Slovenia’s last seven internationals and in five of Denmark’s last eight encounters.