Belarus vs Denmark: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview
Denmark is set to clash with Belarus in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier on Thursday. The match will take place at the ZTE Arena in Hungary as part of Group C, which also includes Scotland and Greece. Currently, Denmark leads the group, separated from Belarus by a four-point margin after two matches.
Match Preview: Belarus vs. Denmark
Denmark, ranked 20th globally by FIFA, is viewed as a strong contender to top Group C. Their qualification campaign started with a goalless draw against Scotland last month, but they quickly rebounded with a commanding 3-0 victory over Greece, securing points thanks to goals from Mikkel Damsgaard, Andreas Christensen, and Rasmus Hojlund. Since the appointment of head coach Brian Riemer almost one year ago, Denmark has achieved four wins in eight competitive matches.
As of now, Denmark is on top of the group with a goal difference advantage. The team is also seeking to maintain a clean sheet for the fourth consecutive match, a feat they haven’t accomplished since October 2021. Historically, Denmark has been successful against Belarus, not conceding a goal in their last two meetings during the 1998 and 1999 encounters.
Belarus’s Struggles
Belarus has faced difficulties in the qualifying rounds, suffering defeats in their first two matches. They lost 5-1 to Greece followed by a 2-0 defeat against Scotland. The team, currently ranked 100th in the world, has not won any of their last six competitive matches, marking three draws and three losses. Furthermore, they have lost their last nine World Cup qualifiers and are considered underdogs in this matchup.
Despite their struggles, Belarus did manage to win three out of four friendlies prior to the qualifying matches, scoring 12 goals in that span. Coach Carlos Alos’s squad must secure points in their upcoming fixtures if they hope to qualify for their first major tournament.
Team News
Denmark has welcomed back playmaker Christian Eriksen, who was missing from the previous squad. He may feature alongside midfielders Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Christian Norgaard. Young striker Rasmus Hojlund has recently been in excellent form, scoring three goals in his last two matches.
However, Denmark will be without defender Rasmus Kristensen due to injury, and uncapped midfielder Victor Jensen remains unavailable.
Projected Lineups
Here’s how the teams might line up for the match:
| Denmark | Belarus |
|---|---|
| Schmeichel | Pavlyuchenko |
| Gaaei | Parkhomenko |
| Andersen | Zabelin |
| Christiansen | Volkov |
| Maehle | Karpovich |
| Hojbjerg | Myakish |
| Hjulmand | Kalinin |
| Eriksen | Pyachenin |
| Isaksen | Ebong |
| Hojlund | Malashevich |
| Damsgaard | Barkouski |
In summary, the upcoming match is crucial for both teams. Denmark seeks to capitalize on their current form, while Belarus is desperate to regain competitiveness in the qualifiers. Denmark is favored to win, with a predicted score of 2-0. Both teams must make the most of the opportunities presented to them in this pivotal game.
