France vs Denmark World Cup Picks and Predictions: The Holders Make a Statement

The two sides favored pre-tournament in the World Cup odds to progress from Group D will meet in the second matchday, as defending champions France face Denmark.

Kylian Mbappe & Co. overcame an early scare from Australia to cruise to an impressive 4-1 win. Denmark, on the other hand, underwhelmed massively in a 0-0 draw with Tunisia, after entering the World Cup as a dark horse many tabbed to make a deep run.

Group D supremacy and potentially, Denmark's tournament hopes, will be on the line on Saturday. We break down the matchup and give our best bet in our World Cup picks and predictions for France vs. Denmark, below.

France vs Denmark odds

France vs Denmark picks and predictions

Ahead of the tournament, this matchup was pegged by many as the game in which the Group D outlook would flip.

With France dealing with injuries in midfield and to Karim Benzema, as well as a tidal wave of backroom toxicity that has marked the program before, they looked primed for an all-too-familiar title defense letdown. 

Denmark, meanwhile, reached the semifinal of the Euros last summer — without talisman Christian Eriksen — and took four points off France in two Nations League games earlier this year.

While taking Denmark, not France, to top the group took a bit of faith in both the optimism around the Danes and pessimism around the French, it wasn't unreasonable. Denmark definitely appeared competitive enough to make France an unappealing short favorite in this game. After matchday one, however, the picture has changed considerably — and I am happy to take France at -120 to win. 

France recovered from an early goal for Australia to roundly dominate in a 4-1 win, out-creating the Aussies 4.0-0.5 in expected goals. Concerns around their Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante-less midfield appeared overstated, with Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot impressing.

Just as important was the showing of Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, and Antoine Griezmann, who largely revived their crucial roles from 2018 as the attacking lifeblood of France.

For as encouraging as France's opener was, Denmark's was discouraging. Though the Danes out-created Tunisia in xG, 1.4-0.9, nearly 1.0 of Denmark's total was from an absolutely incredible miss by Andreas Cornelius.

Tunisia were not only as difficult to break down defensively as they proved to be in 2018 but they seemingly won every second ball and looked like the greater threat to score, with 22 shot-creating actions to Denmark's 18.

Worse still was that the Danes lost Thomas Delaney for the remainder of the tournament. Not only did Delaney, along with Pierre-Emil Hojbjerg and Eriksen, form the axis of the Denmark team but rounded out the one area, the midfield, where they could theoretically out-perform France. 

With Denmark's potential edge gone and France looking every bit the contender they were expected to be, I am happy to get France at these odds.  

My best bet: France moneyline (-120 at PointsBet)

France vs Denmark side analysis

Despite Karim Benzema's status as the Ballon d'Or winner and the glorious form he captured last season with Madrid, it was easy to see France overcoming his injury. After all, Giroud and Mbappe led the team to the World Cup four years ago and while Giroud is aging out of his prime, Mbappe remains a singular force.

The real question was in midfield, where what was effectively a three-man midfield of Pogba, Kante, and Blaise Matuidi four years ago was gone. Tchouameni and, to the surprise of everyone, Rabiot answered the call while Griezmann connected play brilliantly.

France's depth has been tested and will continue to be as the tournament drags on but their talent is still at an elite level that makes their 3-way moneyline price appealing, especially against a weakened Denmark. 

France vs Denmark Over/Under analysis

With the Over at +110 vs. -138 to the Under on a 2.5-goal line, I would be inclined to go against oddsmakers and take the Over on the full-game total. 

That said, Denmark's performance against Tunisia, and the toothless manner in which they attacked, makes me rather hesitant to want to depend on them at all.

To me, the safest play in the goals market is the Over 1.5 on France's team total, available at +100 at PointsBet. That is absolutely fantastic value and something I am eagerly hitting, after an opener in which Mbappe played like the unstoppable force we know and France created 4.0 xG with 44 shot-creating actions.

France vs Denmark game info

France vs Denmark key injuries

France: Lucas Hernandez LB (Out).
Denmark: Thomas Delaney CM (Out).

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