World Cup Friendly 31/05

Australia v Denmark


Monday, May 31

Australia v Denmark

Verdict: As the first to arrive in South Africa, Australia will have had more time to prepare for this friendly encounter against Denmark. Australia's last performance against neighbours New Zealand was dissapointing as the Aussies needed a last gasp Holman goal to win 2-1. Denmark defeated Senegal 2-0 in their recent friendly match in Aalborg in what can be described as a very low key affair.

Australian manager, Pim Verbeek, has announced to the media that Australia are 90% fit for this encounter with doubts hanging over Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton. The Aussies though will be strengthened, in comparison to their New Zealand encounter, with Schwarzer, Wilkshire, Chipperfield, Kennedy, and Rhys Williams all likely to play a part in today's game. Denmark have some important absentees with Niklas Bendtner, Thomas Sorensen and Simon Kjær all ruled out.

I don't think there's much difference, class wise, between these two sides. Australia will field a much stronger team to the one that last played in Melbourne so I expect a much improved performance from the green and gold. With the Aussies having more time to prepare and acclimatise to the conditions, I feel the bookies have got their estimations wrong for this game.

Picks:
Australia +0.25 @2.17 (sbobet, 10 units)
Australia 1 - 0 Denmark
Australia 1x2 @3.80 (betfair, 3 units)
Australia 1 - 0 Denmark