Sports Mole previews Friday's Women's European Championship clash between Germany Women and Denmark Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Germany Women will battle it out with Denmark Women in their Women's Euro 2022 opener at the Brentford Community Stadium on Friday.

Lars Sondergaard's side are looking to go one better than they did in the 2017 tournament, while Germany are bidding to win their ninth consecutive European Championship trophy.

Match preview

Germany Women coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg reacts on February 17, 2022 © Reuters

Germany had been crowned champions of Europe on six consecutive champions when they entered Euro 2017, however, their attempts to clinch another European championship ended at the quarter-final stage on that occasion.

Despite performing below par five years ago, Germany will head into the tournament as one of the favourites to lift the trophy on July 31.

Although, before they can even think about the latter stages, Die Nationalelf must negotiate a tough group that features Spain, Denmark and Finland.

Germany's recent form has been mixed, with their previous five matches resulting in two victories and three defeats.

Although, their most recent game resulted in a comfortable 7-0 victory over Switzerland, which included a Klara Buhl hat-trick.

Meanwhile, Denmark are looking to win their first major trophy after coming close to lifting the trophy at Euro 2017.

They ultimately lost 4-2 in the final to tournament hosts Netherlands five years ago, but they will be hoping to go one step further this time around.

Their chances of clinching the silverware this summer have not been boosted by being drawn in a group that features two sides in the form of Germany and Spain who are currently in the top seven of the FIFA World Rankings.

While Germany played just one match in June to prepare for Euro 2022, Denmark participated in three warm-up games.

Austria and Brazil were both defeated by 2-1 scorelines before Denmark lost 2-1 to Norway in their final friendly, which ended a run of four consecutive victories.

Ahead of a tough opening match, Denmark will at least feel confident of finding the net after scoring in each of their last five matches.

Germany Women form (all competitions):

Denmark Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Germany Women's Lea Schuller celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 17, 2022 © Reuters

Merle Frohms will start in goal for the hosts, and the 27-year-old is set to be shielded by the centre-back pairing of Kathrin Hendrich and Marina Hegering.

After scoring a hat-trick in the 7-0 win in the warm-up game against Switzerland, Buhl will enter the tournament in a confident mood, and the Bayern Munich player is expected to operate on the left flank on Friday.

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has a decision to make over who leads the line, with Lea Schuller and Tabea Wassmuth vying over one spot, but the former may get the nod for Germany's opening game.

As for Denmark, Lene Christensen is set to make her first major tournament appearance, with the Rosenborg keeper expected to start against Germany.

Sondergaard is likely to utilise a back three, which could contain Simone Boye, Stine Ballisager Pedersen and Katrine Veje.

Pernille Harder is Denmark's record goalscorer, and the Chelsea player is set to feature in the forward line for her country on Friday.

Germany Women possible starting lineup:
Frohms; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch; Oberdorf, Dabritz; Huth, Magull, Buhl; Schuller

Denmark Women possible starting lineup:
Christensen; Boye, Ballisager Pedersen, Veje; Thrige, Troelsgaard, Junge Pedersen, Svava; Harder, Larsen, Bruun

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We say: Germany Women 2-1 Denmark Women

Both teams have a number of quality of players, and with the sides closely matched, we think Friday's contest could be a close encounter, but we believe that Germany will draw upon their previous success at the European Championships to clinch all three points.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.