Spain will continue their defense of the UEFA Nations League title on Saturday as they face League A Group 4 leaders Denmark in Murcia. The Danish team currently sits on six points, while La Roja has four after a challenging start following their UEFA Euro 2024 victory in Germany. Spain began their Nations League campaign with a draw against Serbia before bouncing back with a strong win against Switzerland. Conversely, Denmark had a tough Euro 2024 run, failing to secure a win with three draws in the group stage before losing in the round of 16 to Germany. However, they have regained form with victories over Switzerland and Serbia in the Nations League.
Denmark, currently ranked 20th in the FIFA world rankings and led by interim coach Lars Knudsen, has struggled against Spain historically, winning only two of their last 16 encounters in all competitions, the last of which was a 1-0 win in World Cup qualifying back in 1993.
Match details:
Date: Saturday, October 12
Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
Location: Estadio Enrique Roca de Murcia, Spain
Broadcast: ViX and Fubo
Spain is aiming to maintain their impressive record, being unbeaten in 12 games across all competitions, with 10 wins and two draws since a friendly loss to Colombia in March. They have scored at least two goals in each of their last nine matches, defeating top teams including Germany, France, and England. Spain will be favored in this match against Denmark, having won their last four encounters with an aggregate score of 10-2.
In terms of team news, Spain will be missing long-term absentees Rodri and Dani Carvajal, along with Robin Le Normand due to a head injury. Other players not participating include Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Nico Williams, and Bryan Gil. Pedro Porro and Oscar Mingueza could occupy the right-back spot, while Pau Cubarsi might partner with Aymeric Laporte. Martin Zubimendi is expected to fill in for Rodri alongside Pedri and Fabian Ruiz, with Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena supporting Alvaro Morata in attack.
Possible Spain XI: Raya; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Baena.
For Denmark, Joachim Andersen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Christian Norgaard, and Morten Frendrup are ruled out, and Rasmus Nicolaisen has also withdrawn. Rasmus Hojlund is expected to return, potentially partnering with or replacing Yussuf Poulsen. The midfield trio of Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Morten Hjulmand is anticipated, along with defenders Jannik Vestergaard, Rasmus Kristensen, and Victor Nelsson.
Possible Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Kristensen, Vestergaard, Nelsson; Bah, Hojbjerg, Hjulmand, Kristiansen; Eriksen; Poulsen, Hojlund.
Prediction: Despite some key absences for both sides, Spain is expected to secure a narrow win. The forecast is Spain 2, Denmark 1.