Preview: Denmark Women vs. Spain Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Denmark know they need to win to finish in the top two, while a draw would be enough for Spain to progress to the quarter-finals where England await.

Match preview

After reaching the final at Euro 2017, Denmark are at risk of being eliminated in the group stage this time around.

They began their campaign with a 4-0 defeat against Germany before beating Finland 1-0 on Tuesday to pick up their first points of the tournament.

Finland looked set to hold Denmark to draw, however, a 72nd-minute effort from Pernille Harder ensured Denmark head into the final group match level on points with Spain.

Although the first tie-breaker will be based on the head-to-head result, if Denmark draw with Spain on Saturday then second place will be decided by goal difference.

With Denmark's goal difference inferior to Spain's, Lars Sondergaard knows that only a win will do if they are to reach the knockout rounds for the third consecutive European championships.

Spain began Euro 2022 with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Finland, but they were unable to build upon that victory against Germany.

First half goals from Klara Buhl and Alex Popp condemned Spain to a 2-0 defeat on Tuesday, and while the result confirmed Germany's progression to the quarter-finals, Jorge Vilda's side still have to pick up at least one point in their final group game.

The defeat to Germany represented the first time Spain had lost since March 2020, with the result ending a 24-game unbeaten run.

Like Saturday's opponents, Spain are also aiming to reach the European Championship knockout rounds for a third consecutive tournament after being eliminated at the quarter-final stage in 2013 and 2017.

Ahead of the final group game, Spain can take confidence from the 3-0 win they recorded in the most recent meeting with Denmark, which took place last summer.

Denmark Women Women's European Championship form:

Denmark Women form (all competitions):

Spain Women Women's European Championship form:

Spain Women form (all competitions):

Team News

After being sent off in Denmark's group opener, Kathrine Kuhl will return from her one-match suspension, although the 19-year-old will have to settle for a place on the bench.

Sondergaard will use the same back three that has started the first two group games, with Rikke Sevecke, Stine Pedersen and Katrine Veje set to form Denmark's defensive line.

Meanwhile, Rikke Madsen could return to the starting lineup to feature in the front three alongside Signe Bruun and Harder

As for Spain, they are still without the services of Alexia Putellas, who was ruled out of the tournament due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Like their opponents, Spain are also expected to name an unchanged backline, ensuring captain Irene Paredes continues her partnership with Mapi Leon in the centre of defence.

Esther Gonzalez dropped out of the side for matchday two, but the Real Madrid striker could return to the starting lineup for the final group game.

Denmark Women possible starting lineup:

Christensen; Sevecke, Pedersen, Veje; Thrige, Troelsgaard, Junge-Pedersen, Thomsen; Madsen, Harder, Bruun

Spain Women possible starting lineup:

Panos; Batlle, Paredes, Leon, Ouahabi; Bonmati, Aleixandri, Guijarro; L. Garcia, Caldentey; Gonzalez

We say: Denmark Women 1-2 Spain Women

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