After clawing their way back from the brink, co-hosts Australia can start fresh in the knockout rounds as they take on an under-the-radar Denmark team in the Last 16 on Monday.
The Matildas cruised past Canada in a must-win group stage finale, sparked by a double from Hayley Raso, to keep their tournament dreams alive — and they’ve got an ace up their sleeve as superstar Sam Kerr prepares to return from a calf injury.
Denmark’s Group D results didn’t grab a lot of headlines, but after two wins, two clean sheets, and a narrow loss to England, the Danes will be no pushovers.
Read on for our free Australia vs Denmark picks and predictions ahead of this August 8 showdown.
Australia vs Denmark odds
 Australia |
 Denmark |
|
|---|---|---|
| -106 | Moneyline | +333 |
| +230 | Draw | +230 |
| Over 2.5 (+135) | Total | Under 2.5 (-175) |
Odds courtesy of bet365 on August 6, 2023.
Australia vs Denmark picks and predictions
From despair to delight, the Australians rose to the occasion in a 4-0 thumping of Canada, shrugging off elimination fears and soaring to the top of Group B. With the added advantage of a loud home crowd, I see the Matildas using that clutch result as a springboard for the rest of the tournament.
There were terrific performances all over the field that night — from Raso, Caitlin Foord, and Mary Fowler in attack to Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry in midfield. But Australia can unlock a whole new level with Kerr expected to feature in some capacity on Monday.
The sigh of relief at reaching the second round, coupled with what Kerr brings to the table, makes Tony Gustavsson’s side clear favorites here. There was a relentlessness against Canada that was missing from their earlier outings — maybe Australia just needed to be backed into a corner to unleash their best soccer.
Denmark ended the group stage on a high note with a 2-0 win over Haiti, but they’ve had to scrape for every point. The Danes had just two shots on target in each of their first two games Down Under, and I have my doubts that their defense will be able to contain the fluidity of Australia’s forward play.
After their group stage scare, the Australians seem to be on a better path now, and I’m backing them to continue that hot form on Monday.
My best bet: Australia moneyline (-106 at bet365)
Australia vs Denmark same-game parlay
Australia moneyline (-106)
Over 2 goals (+135)
Both teams to receive a card — Yes (+110)
Australia’s clinical finishing against Canada last Monday showed what the co-hosts can do when they find their groove, scoring with four of their six shots on target. The week-long gap before this Last 16 matchup has given Kerr precious time to recover, and I see an open contest serving up three or more goals.
While there hasn’t been a flurry of cards for either team so far at the tournament, both nations picked up at least one yellow card in two of their three group games. With the tension cranking up here in Sydney, the officials could be in for a busy 90 minutes.
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Australia vs Denmark spread and Over/Under analysis
Australia are favorites to win on Monday and progress to the quarterfinals — and I’ve already made the case for the co-hosts outlasting a Danish team with underdog odds north of +300. The Matildas have steadily improved during the tournament and the arrow is pointing upward with Kerr set to bolster a forward line that put four goals past Canada.
For Denmark, who’ve had one day fewer to prepare, much depends on captain Pernille Harder, who scored a penalty against Haiti and has been used as a central striker and a deeper playmaker at different times during this World Cup.
In terms of the Over/Under, all three of the Danes’ group games cashed in the Under on 2.5 total goals, but Australia have trended in the opposite direction, netting six times in their past two games with both contests hitting the Over on 3.5 total goals.
Gustavsson may ease Kerr back into the side off the bench, but her availability should ignite the home crowd in Sydney and maximize the quality of Australia’s wingers, who are already in fine form.
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Australia vs Denmark game info
| Location: | Olympic Stadium, Sydney, AU |
| Date: | Monday, August 7, 2023 |
| Time: | 6:30 a.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX, TSN |
| Weather: | Mid-50s, dry, partly cloudy at kick-off. |
Australia vs Denmark key injuries
Australia: Sam Kerr F (Probable).
Denmark: None.
