Tournament hosts Germany eased into the knockout stage of Euro 2024 with two wins and a draw from their three matches in Group A, but things are about to get much tougher for the host nation.
They face a Denmark side who finished second to England in Group C following three draws, but having held the Three Lions 1-1, they will be confident of frustrating the three-time European champions.
The Danes have been stubborn opponents for Germany in the past and although they are big underdogs for this last-16 clash in Dortmund on Saturday, they will be confident of making life hard for Julian Nagelsmann's side.
Denmark have drawn their three matches at Euro 2024 and they have a great recent record in meetings with Germany.
The Danes have won two of their last six meetings with Die Mannschaft, drawing three times and losing just once. The last two meetings have finished 1-1 and backing this latest encounter to be tied at the half-time break looks a value pick.
Kasper Hjulmand's side came into the tournament in good shape having won three games on the bounce but they will be slightly disappointed not to have performed better at the finals.
They were arguably the better side in the draw against England and they also dominated matters on matchday one against Slovenia.
Creating and scoring chances has been their main weakness, but they are a solid, well-drilled outfit and they will be hard for Germany to beat at the weekend.
The home side will be forced into a defensive reshuffle with Jonathan Tah suspended, while there are injury doubts over Tah's defensive partner, Antonio Rudiger, too.
That could unsettle the Germans who may take time to adjust and that could help Denmark in their bid to keep things tight for as long as possible. Backing a draw at half-time looks a solid selection.
Only two of 11 meetings between Germany and Denmark have been settled by more than one goal and another tight contest looks likely in Dortmund this weekend.
Denmark have seen all three of their Euro 2024 outings end as draws and they will look to frustrate the host nation for as long as possible.
The home side look too strong not to win the contest but one goal may be all that is needed to settle matters.
Germany haven't beaten the Danes by at least a two-goal margin in six contests since 1996 and it is hard to see them cutting loose on this occasion either.
Denmark have lost just six of their last 26 matches in all competitions but only one of those has seen them lose by at least two goals.
The Germans have had it fairly easy so far in these finals but they face stubborn opponents this week and a conservative margin of victory looks likely.
A patient approach may be needed for Germany and a late winner could be needed against the Danes on Saturday.
And that may provide super-sub Niclas Fullkrug with the opportunity to make his mark on the finals once more.
Fullkrug has come off the bench to score twice in three outings at the tournament and he is likely to be brought into the action late on once again.
Denmark will look to stifle the host nation in Dortmund and the home side may have to rely on a set-piece to break the resistance of their last-16 rivals.
Fullkrug has enjoyed a prolific campaign with 22 goals for club side Borussia Dortmund and the national team and he looks a decent bet to bag another goal this week.
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Germany | -167 |
Tie | +290 |
Denmark | +500 |
Deniz Undav | +200 |
Kai Havertz | +200 |
Niclas Fullkrug | +200 |
Thomas Muller | +240 |
Florian Wirtz | +260 |
Jamal Musiala | +260 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.