GROUP C is dominated by the inclusion of France and it looks like a very open race to see who claims second spot. Denmark face Peru on Saturday in a fixture that will go some way in deciding the fate of both teams. Ross Casey (@RossCasey24) offers his World Cup betting advice for their clash in Saransk.
Denmark v Peru | Saturday 16th June 2018, 17:00 | BBC
This match is a very interesting one from a betting perspective as Peru are unbeaten in 15 matches and Denmark have lost just two in 17.
Despite those records, Denmark have been handed the edge here with a best price of 16/11 with Unibet, whilst Peru are available at 12/5 (Ladbrokes).
Denmark
The reliance on Christian Eriksen for Denmark is pretty vast with the Spurs star top scoring in qualifying with eight goals – double the number notched by Thomas Delaney, and four times more than both strikers Andreas Cornelius and Nicola Jorgenson.
Interestingly, Denmark are capable of scoring hatfuls of goals in single games – see their 5-1 demolition of Ireland. But of late, their goals have dried up with just four scored in their last six fixtures.
That is a concern, although I think this is also tempered with the fact that they have kept four clean sheets in a row heading into this tournament. If they can keep that brilliant defensive record intact, then a piece of Eriksen magic may be enough for them to win these tight tussles.
In their final pre-tournament match, the Scandinavians beat Mexico 2-0 with Eriksen scoring one and setting up another, and with Barcelona reportedly interested in him, he could be out to impress and may well drag Denmark kicking and screaming out of Group C.
Peru
As I have already mentioned, this Peru side are now unbeaten in 15 and cannot be underestimated. This includes impressive victories over the likes of Croatia and Iceland too, so they are far from flat-track bullies.
They effectively knocked an impressive Chile side out in qualifying and can now boast the return of the legendary Paolo Guerrero, who surprisingly has been allowed back in to international football despite a ban from club competitions for drug abuse.
Peru too, offer excellent defensive stability – just like Denmark. In their 15 match unbeaten run, they have conceded just seven times, keeping seven clean sheets in their last nine outings.
The betting angle
I often back Under 2.5 Goals (71/100 Marathon) in games between sides in good form, as these games tend to see teams ‘cancel eachother out' and they become intriguing tactical duels rather than end-to-end affairs.
That is something I am willing to do here – especially with both defences looking so strong. Denamrk are failing to net of late too, which helps our cause, while Peru drew their final warm-up game 0-0 with Sweden.
It is an odds-on shot at 71/100 with Marathon, but I am happy with the odds on offer on this particular World Cup selection.
Best Bets
Denmark v Peru – Under 2.5 Goals (71/100 Marathon)
