Match Preview: England v Denmark

Who are we playing?
Denmark

Big game?
No, frankly. Although the players concerned will all be hoping to make the plane to Rio, we are at the sharp end of the club season now and for many this friendly is an unneeded distraction. Woy's squad selection hasn't exactly been innovative and it's doubtful he'll learn much from this. More of a game to put money in the FA's coffers.


Where are we playing?
Wembley Stadium, in Wembley, in London. Wembley is not the loveliest part of the UK, but they still decided to build the national stadium there, giving foreign visitors a less than sparkling impression of our fair nation. Unfortunately, paying for the stadium means that it's not economically viable for England to visit the provinces anymore, which is a crying shame.

Can I go?
Still some tickets last time we looked but we haven't been bombarded with emails begging us to go so we're assuming sales are healthy.

Easy to get to?
Driving and parking can be a pain and you know what those motorways can get like in midweek. If you are travelling from Birmingham, the train is probably your best bet, with direct trains from Moor Street to the Stadium, and trains back at 22:18, 22:50 or the last one at 23:17 if you fancy a cheeky couple of post match pints.


Can I watch it on the telly?
You can but with added Adrian Chiles as it's on itv. Lee "Charsima" Dixon will be on hand with the punditry.

A Great Dane

Apart from Hans Christian Andersen, Victor Borge, Helena Christensen, some dull crime dramas on BBC Four, Carlsberg Export, Brigitte Nielsen, Martin Laursen, Kent Nielsen, Jores Okore and Lego, what has Denmark ever done for us?
The bacon is delicious... and their Prime Minister's quite fit too.

Who's playing for us?
Adam Johnson has been in devastating form of late, so Roy hasn't picked him. Funny that. Roy has picked a large squad, far larger than he'll be allowed to take to Brazil so some of these lads are gonna have their little hearts broken soon. Phil Jagielka is ruled out of this one.

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Cardiff City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Jay Rodriguez (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United)

Who's playing for them?
Jonas Lössl - FC Midtjylland
Kasper Schmeichel - Leicester City FC

Kasper Schmeichel

Stephan Andersen - Go Ahead Eagles
Andreas Bjelland- Twente
Daniel Agger - Liverpool FC
Jesper L. Juelsgård - FC Midtjylland
Lars Jacobsen - FC København
Peter Ankersen  - Esbjerg fB
Simon Kjær - OSC Lille
Casper Sloth - AGF
Christian Eriksen - Tottenham Hotspur FC
Danny Olsen - AGF
Kasper Kusk - AaB
Niki Zimling - FSV Mainz 05
Thomas Delaney - FC København
Thomas Kahlenberg - Brøndby IF
William Kvist Jørgensen - Fulham FC
Emil Larsen - OB
Martin C. Braithwaite - Toulouse FC
Michael Krohn-Dehli - Celta de Vigo
Morten ''Duncan'' Rasmussen-  FC Midtjylland
Nicklas Bendtner - Arsenal FC

Any useless stats and info?
Of course, here you go:

• We've won 11 games against Denmark, lost 3 and drawn 4.

• Denmark first beat England in 1983, defeating Bobby Robson's side 1-0 at Wembley thanks to a penalty from Allan Simonsen.

• The Danes had to wait over 20 years for their next victory, running out 3-2 winners at Old Trafford in November 2003 thanks to a brace from Martin Jorgensen.

• The last meeting between the two teams saw England secure a 2-1 victory at the Parken Stadion, Copenhagen thanks to goals  from Aston Villa duo Darren Bent and Ashley Young.

Prediction:
An England win, raising false hopes and dreams for the summer.