Cameroon vs Denmark – Scandinavians to make impression

Group E’s two losing teams go into their match looking to get their World Cup started in earnest with goals and points. It kicks off at 7.30pm.

Both Cameroon and Denmark failed to score in their opening games but defeat by Holland was more respectable than the Indomitable Lions’ loss to unfancied Japan so the Danes are understandably narrow favourites, at 6/4, to win here.

Before their tepid display in the defeat by Japan, though, Cameroon were tipped as an outside bet to do well and still have a squad full of athleticism and skill. They are 7/4 to break an eight-game winless run.

But boss Paul Le Guen’s tactics are being questioned even by his own players, with Achille Emana singling out for criticism the promotion of young players, such as Joel Matip, above more experienced candidates, such as Alexandre Song.

And record scorer Samuel Eto’o looked particularly grumpy being asked to play wide right rather than in his preferred central attacking role.

Eto’o is 11/2 favourite to score first and if Le Guen listens to his squad and plays the Inter man up front, he would be a good bet.

The Scandinavian side meanwhile have lost their last three, failing to score in each, and have injury doubts over strikers Jon Dahl Tomasson and Mikkel Beckmann, who trained alone this week.

Manager Morten Olsen will be hoping Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner, who played for just over an hour against the Dutch despite a groin problem, is back to full fitness.

The young Arsenal forward received a decent supply in the first half against Holland and if in peak condition looks a very good bet for first goal scorer, at 6/1.

The Danes’ have never lost to an African nation at a World Cup and their superior organisation and more settled build-up swings this clash in their favour. A 2-1 win looks a well priced at 9/1.

The draw is 21/10 but with a solitary point being of little use to either side it looks likely we’ll see a victor emerge and potentially a late winning goal scored. It may be worth a bet on both teams to score in the second half – it’s a 7/2 chance.

Who will be going home after this game? Cameroon are 4/1 to qualify from Group E while Denmark have a 7/4 chance. See the full Cameroon v Denmark match betting market.