World Cup
2012-09-08 - Denmark vs Czech Republic
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA World Cup 2014 Qualifier
Saturday 8 September 2012 - Kick Off 7:15pm
Denmark
Denmark have to consider themselves unfortunate to have fallen victim to the 'Group of Death' at the Euro 2012 tournament in the Summer, but they showed enough in that event to think they will really make a challenge to getting out of this qualifying Group and booking a trip to Brazil for the Summer of 2014.
It won't be easy though as this looks one of the tougher sections in the UEFA qualifers as the Danes face the Czech Republic, Italy and Bulgaria in a fight for the top two places. The Czechs and Italy were also involved in the Euro 2012 tournament and puts added pressure on all of those teams to make sure they win their home games.
The team should be confident they can get the job done at home having gone 7-1-1 here in the last two qualification campaigns, while also winning all 4 games in the last set of qualifiers. Denmark have beaten the likes of Portugal, Sweden and Norway at home so won't fear anyone in this Group.
Czech Republic
I was pretty sure the Czech Republic were the weakest team at the Euro 2012 tournament, particularly from the qualifiers, and looked to be on the mark after their 3-0 loss to Russia to open proceedings. However, they surprised many by getting through to the Quarter Finals, although qualification to the World Cup in 2014 may be a tougher matter.
Unfortunately for the Czechs, they are no longer able to rely on the 'golden generation' that had them listed as dark horses at tournaments in 2004 and 2006. This Group also has some tough tests ahead in the form of Italy, Denmark and Bulgaria and the Czechs will have to play better than they did in their last qualifiers if they are to progress to Brazil.
They are 3-4-2 in their last 10 away qualifiers stretching back over the last two qualification campaigns, and they did earn draws in Slovenia and Slovakia in that time, but this Group is generally a lot tougher than what they have faced in those 10 away qualifiers. The Czechs were also lucky to escape with a 2-2 draw from a game in Scotland that secured their path to the Euro 2012 Play Offs and ultimately that tournament.
Head to Head
Denmark have drawn their last 2 home games against the Czech Republic, although they haven't played one another since 2010.
The Danes have met the Czech Republic 4 times at home and the record is 1-2-1.
Prediction
Both of these teams will know the importance of this game, even though it is only the first qualifier, considering the Group they are in and I expect both will be looking for the win although the away side may just settle for a point.
The Czech Republic may have got further than Denmark in the Euro 2012 tournament, but I don't believe they are the better team and this is a real test for them. Denmark have been very strong at home in recent qualifiers and base their foundation for progressing on their record here.
It could be a tight match all in all, but getting odds against for the home win looks a little favourable to me and I'll be backing Denmark to get off to the perfect start with a win.
The Pick :
Denmark 2-1 Czech Republic
