World Cup 2018: A comprehensive look at Group C

Denmark

After missing the previous WC, Denmark will like to make it through to the next round

After missing out on the previous edition, this will be Denmark's fifth appearance in the WC finals. Despite most of the world wide fans knowing only Christian Eriksen on the team, Denmark are out to prove that they are much more than one highly sought-after playmaker.

Qualification for Denmark was not very direct, as they had to play a second round qualification game before booking their place. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, they smashed their way through the Republic of Ireland 5-1 in the second leg thanks to a hat-trick from he who will not be named.

Coach: Age Hereide

After Denmark failed to qualify for the Euro 2016, their coach - Marten Olsen - their longest serving manager stepped down, paving the way for Hereide to come into the side. The response has not been too shabby.

The Norwegian is a very experienced coach, having won titles in all of the Scandinavian countries - with Helsingborgs IF, Malmo, Rosenborg and Brondby. This will be his first major tournament with the national side, and expectations are bang in the middle.

Denmark's squad for the World Cup

Most of Denmark play in Europe's famous leagues, and the team as a whole is not that unknown. The difference is that most players are with teams that are not too famous, and hence the general underestimation of Denmark.

Leicester City's Kasper Schmeichel is their preferred keeper, and despite a mixed season in the PL, his reflexes are one of the best in the league and he usually makes top saves without looking too lost.

Once again, a four man backline of Dalsgaard, Kjaer, Jorgensen/Christensen and Stryger is as tall as it is hard to pronounce. The height of the Danes is an advantage that is being massively overlooked, and it will be the key difference when they take on Peru.

Denmark play with a unlikely 5 man midfield, with one holding midfielder and 2 sets of two midfielders ahead of him. Copenhagen's Kvist is the team's best DM and he will be the link that ties the offense with defense.

Ahead of him, the attacking portion of the midfield will revolve around Eriksen, with Delaney playing a second role to him. Eriksen will be the main focus of the team, as well as the opposition defenders.

Thankfully, Thomas Gravesen - one of Denmark's most capped players (66) has a solution:

You could protect Christian Eriksen a little more. If the others go to him, you can get one of the other midfielder players - if one runs after Christian and covers him - then help Christian. Go down and plan him down. When the star in ice hockey runs with the puck and he gets smashed into the bands, one comes with a long beard without teeth and will beat for Christian - an ice hockey player on that level. You can easily transfer to the national team's playing style.

With Sisto and Poulsen playing as wingers, there is enough talent in the midfield to qualify to the next round over Peru.

The lone striker up-front will either be Jorgensen or Dohlberg, with Jorgensen being expected to play the more active role. Dohlberg is an exciting young prospect and he will be extremely useful from the bench against tired legs.

The Tottenham star is the heart-beat of the Danish side

Player to watch out for: Christian Eriksen

The playmaker supreme at Tottenham Hotspur is one of the best in the world in his position, and can change games at will. For the national team, Eriksen has occasionally come good and at the biggest stage in the world, this is his chance to prove himself once more.

Unfortunately, there are rumors that he might leave the squad at any time to visit his girlfriend as she is expecting.