With just one point from their first two qualifiers and a new manager to boot in Paulo Bento, Portugal desperately needs to get going in their home game against Denmark on Oct. 8 if they want to get back in the race in Group H. Denmark has played just once and beat Iceland 1-0.

Portugal managed to score scored four goals against Cyprus at home in their opener but allowed a late goal for a surprise 4-4 draw. They then travelled to Norway and were beaten 1-0. All Portuguese eyes will be focused on the match in Porto as it will be Bento’s first game in charge after former manager Carlos Queiroz was sacked last month.

Bento will be missing Liedson and Miguel Veloso due to injuries as he’s called up uncapped midfielder Rúben Micael along with Manuel Fernandes. Denmark will be missing Daniel Agger, Nicklas Bendtner, Morten Skoubo, and Thomas Kahlenberg for various reasons and have called in uncapped goalkeeper Jonas Lossl, forward Nicolai Jorgensen, defender Mathias Jorgensen, striker Peter Lovenkrands, and midfielders Daniel Jensen and Kasper Lorentzen.

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The last time the two teams met the game ended in a 1-1 draw and Denmark won the two previous games. Overall, in 10 games with each other, Portugal has won six, drawn two and lost two. Denmark shocked the Portuguese with two late goals in a 2010 World Cup qualifier to beat them 3-2 in Lisbon. Portugal had a 2-1 lead with four minutes to go, but goals from Daniel Jensen and Christian Poulsen sealed the win for Denmark.

Denmark also beat Portugal 4-2 back 2006 and haven’t lost to them now in their last three matchups. Portugal last beat Denmark 2-1 in a friendly in 2000.

Portugal will be hoping that Cristiano Ronaldo can find his scoring touch again after going about a year without a goal for them. He finally broke the goose egg with a goal against North Korea in a 7-0 win over them in this summer’s World Cup. Paulo Machado and Joao Pereira will be new faces in the squad while Benfica midfielder Carlos Martins and Sporting Lisbon striker Helder Postiga have been called up after long absences. Nani is also back in the squad after missing the World Cup.

Portugal vs Denmark Betting Odds and Predictions

Denmark should be pretty confident heading into this game given their recent record against Portugal. However, with a new manager on the sidelines, look for the Portuguese to be ready for the test. As long as Portugal utilizes its offensive talent, they should be able to score a couple of goals and pull out a 2-1 win.

Sportsbook William Hill has the odds of a Portugal victory listed at 4/7 with a Denmark win at 5/1 and a draw posted at 11/4. A 2-1 win for Portugal is listed at 15/2.