Australia vs Denmark: Weds 30th Nov, 3:00pm
The winners of Australia vs Denmark will win a place in the round of 16.
For Denmark, who have one point, they know they must topple a Socceroos side who battled their way to a 1-0 win over Tunisia last time out.
They may well have used up all their luck, though, against the Africans having been pinned back for large spells in the second half.
Denmark, who reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals, have disappointed so far.
They were edged out by France, but it could be the 0-0 draw with Tunisia which could come back to haunt them. Tunisia’s aggressive approach knocked Denmark out of their stride and even a late VAR penalty call went the way of Tunisia.
Whether Australia can get as up close and personal to Denmark as Tunisia did is unlikely. And that could leave the likes of Christan Eriksen and Mikkel Damsgaard to run riot.
The Socceroos look a limited side, with Stoke’s Harry Souttar starring at the back against Tunisia.
France opened them up almost at will in Australia’s first game and Denmark’s class should see them home against their brave but limited Group D rivals.
Poland vs Argentina: Weds 30th Nov, 7:00pm
Poland are yet to concede a goal at the World Cup after a goalless draw vs Mexico and a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
Robert Lewandowski scored his first World Cup goal in the win over Saudi in what was a strange game.
Saudi dominated possession and had more shots and more shots on target, as well as missing a penalty. But Poland were more clinical and now know that a draw vs Argentina will put them into the last 16 for the first time since 1986.
Czeslaw Michniewicz’s team will have that firmly planted in their heads and they will defend for their lives against Argentina.
The bookies have them at a huge price to win, but that will not be in the thinking of the pragmatic Poles, who will be focusing on a draw and they are more than capable of keeping another clean sheet.
The onus will be on Argentina and fortunately for them their fate is in their own hands despite the shock of losing to Saudi Arabia first up.
A win will put Lionel Scaloni’s side through, a draw and they will be relying on the result of the Saudi Arabia vs Mexico match.
On paper this looks a straightforward win for Lionel Messi and Co, but they have disappointed in Qatar. They have yet to show any real rhythm on the back of a 36-match unbeaten run which was snapped by Saudi Arabia.
Messi lifted them to victory against Mexico and it may well need the 35-year-old to lift them again against a resolute Poland side. Can the PSG star conjure up another piece of magic in what will be his third game in nine days?
