Norway begin life in Nations League League A with a demanding Scandinavian derby against Denmark at Ullevaal Stadion. Ståle Solbakken’s side have earned their place at this level and will know that home results could decide whether they can finish in the top two of Group A4.
The hosts come into the match after a World Cup campaign which included wins over Brazil and Ivory Coast, although their most recent game ended in a late 2-1 defeat to England. Norway have been especially strong in Oslo, winning each of their last five competitive home matches and scoring 28 goals across that run.
Denmark have plenty of capable players, but Brian Riemer has a difficult opening schedule and arrives without Andreas Christensen. Their last completed match was a goalless friendly against DR Congo, while their last competitive away outing ended in a 2-2 draw with Czechia before a penalty-shoot-out defeat.
Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard give Norway the attacking quality to make the difference, especially with Ullevaal behind them. Our prediction is 3-0, with Norway Asian Handicap -1.5 at odds of 3.45 our best bet.
Quick Prediction
Best Bet: Norway Asian Handicap -1.5
Market: Asian Handicap
Correct Score Prediction: Norway 3-0 Denmark
Odds: 3.45
Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Expected Goals: Over 2.5 Goals
Both Teams To Score: No
📅 Date: 24 September 2026
🏟️ Venue: Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo
🏆 Competition: UEFA Nations League
Match Preview
This is a major step up for Norway, who are playing in League A for the first time. Solbakken has made no secret of the importance of taking points in Oslo before trips to Wales and Portugal, and his side have given supporters plenty to enjoy on home soil over the past year.
Norway’s recent World Cup results were mixed, but there was real attacking intent in the wins over Iraq, Ivory Coast and Brazil. They also led England through Andreas Schjelderup before losing 2-1 to a stoppage-time goal. The defensive return needs work, with Norway conceding in nine of their last 10 internationals, but their home record tells a different story: they have scored freely and generally controlled games at Ullevaal.
Haaland remains the obvious focal point, with 62 goals in 55 internationals. Yet Norway are not a one-man attack. Ødegaard should find pockets between Denmark’s midfield and defence, while Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb and Schjelderup offer pace and invention either side of the Manchester City striker. Patrick Berg can set the tempo from deep, and Sander Berge gives the midfield power when Norway need to press forward or win second balls.
Denmark still have enough quality to make this a proper test. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg is the experienced leader in midfield, Morten Hjulmand can add more control, and Rasmus Højlund gives them a direct outlet up front. Gustav Isaksen and Mikkel Damsgaard are capable of carrying the ball into dangerous areas, while Patrick Dorgu and Joakim Mæhle can push high from the full-back positions.
Riemer has alternated between back-four and wing-back systems, but Norway’s front line should ask difficult questions of a defence missing Christensen. Denmark’s recent competitive away results have been volatile: they won 6-0 in Belarus and 3-0 in Greece, but also conceded four in Scotland and five in Portugal. That inconsistency is a concern against a Norway side that have made Ullevaal a difficult place to visit.
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Why Norway Asian Handicap -1.5 Makes Sense
At 3.45, Norway Asian Handicap -1.5 is the pick because it pays out if Solbakken’s side win by two goals or more. A one-goal Norway win, a draw or a Denmark victory means the bet loses, so this is not a conservative selection. The price reflects that, and it is why the line is more appealing than a short Norway match-winner price would be.
The strongest part of the case is Norway’s home scoring record. Their last five competitive home games brought five wins, 28 goals scored and only two conceded. Those fixtures included 5-0 victories over Kazakhstan and Israel, a 3-0 win over Italy and a 4-1 success against Estonia. Norway have shown they can turn territorial control into a convincing scoreline in Oslo.
Denmark have good players, but this is a difficult moment to face Norway away. Christensen’s withdrawal removes an experienced defender from Riemer’s options, while the visitors have Wales and Portugal to follow in a tight sequence. Højbjerg and Hjulmand can make Denmark harder to play through, but Ødegaard’s movement and Norway’s pace in wide areas can pull the midfield apart if Denmark start too cautiously.
Haaland is the major reason to back a bigger-margin home win. Denmark may cope with him for spells, but they must also deal with runners around him. Nusa can drive at defenders, Schjelderup arrives in scoring positions, and Ødegaard has the passing range to find Haaland early. Norway do not need to dominate every minute to cover this line; a fast start or a late opening after Denmark chase the game could be enough.
The risk is clear. Denmark have clean sheets in five of their last 10 completed matches and can make games awkward when their midfield screen works. Højlund also gives them a route back into the match. Still, Norway’s home level and attacking firepower make a two-goal victory worth backing at this price.
- ✓Norway have won their last five competitive home matches.
- ✓Norway scored 28 goals in those five competitive home games.
- ✓Norway have scored in nine of their last 10 internationals.
- ✓Denmark are without injured defender Andreas Christensen.
- ✓Denmark conceded four goals in their last competitive away match against Scotland.
- ✓Eight of Norway’s last 10 internationals produced over 2.5 goals.
- ✓The last meeting ended Denmark 3-1 Norway in June 2024.
Team News
Norway will be without Alexander Sørloth, who has been ruled out of the September and October international period through injury. His absence is a blow, but it could make the selection more natural, with Haaland leading the line and Nusa, Schjelderup or Bobb providing width and movement around him. Fredrik André Bjørkan is also not in the squad after taking a break from international football.
Solbakken has retained the core of the side that reached the World Cup, including Haaland, Ødegaard, Ajer, Ryerson, Berge and Patrick Berg. Erik Botheim, Fredrik Sjøvold, Odin Bjørtuft and Ole Didrik Blomberg are among the additions to the group, with Botheim offering another option to link play if Norway want a different type of forward from the bench.
Denmark are without Andreas Christensen, who withdrew after suffering an injury for Barcelona and has been replaced in the squad by Lucas Høgsberg. Christian Eriksen is not in the September selection. Riemer can still call on experienced players such as Højbjerg, Andersen, Mæhle, Dorgu, Højlund and Dolberg, but there is a little less certainty at centre-back without Christensen.
Possible Starting Lineups
Norway Possible XI
Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Møller Wolfe; Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Ødegaard; Nusa, Haaland, Schjelderup
Denmark Possible XI
Mads Hermansen; Bah, Joachim Andersen, Provstgaard, Dorgu; Hjulmand, Højbjerg, Froholdt; Isaksen, Højlund, Damsgaard
Players to Watch
Erling Haaland — Norway
Haaland is Norway’s main route to goals and arrives with a remarkable 62 international goals. If Ødegaard can release him early or the wide players get crosses into the box, Denmark will have a difficult night containing him.
Martin Ødegaard — Norway
Ødegaard is the player most likely to decide whether Norway turn possession into clear chances. His passing between the lines can bring Haaland into the game, while his set-piece quality also matters against a Denmark defence adjusting to Christensen’s absence.
Rasmus Højlund — Denmark
Højlund gives Denmark pace and physicality through the middle. Norway have conceded regularly in recent internationals, so Denmark’s best chance may be to find their Napoli striker quickly after winning the ball back.
Patrick Dorgu — Denmark
Dorgu scored against Ukraine in June and offers Denmark a real threat from the left. His forward runs can pin back Ryerson, although the space he leaves behind could also be an area Norway target through Nusa or Bobb.
Head-to-Head
Denmark have the stronger overall record in this fixture, with 55 wins from 91 meetings compared with Norway’s 21. The most recent meeting was a friendly in June 2024, when Denmark won 3-1.
The last competitive meetings came in Euro 2012 qualifying. Denmark won 2-0 in Copenhagen in September 2011 after the sides had drawn 1-1 in Norway earlier that year. Those results are too old to carry much weight for this squad, but they show how rarely these neighbours meet in meaningful competition.
Final Verdict
Norway have a difficult League A group, but this is the home game they need to attack. Their recent results at Ullevaal have been excellent, and the combination of Ødegaard’s creativity, Haaland’s finishing and pace from the wide areas gives them the tools to put Denmark under sustained pressure.
Denmark have enough experience to keep the contest close for periods, particularly through Højbjerg and Hjulmand, and Højlund is the main threat to a Norway clean sheet. However, Christensen’s absence weakens an already testing defensive assignment, while Norway’s home scoring record makes the bigger handicap worth a look.
At 3.45, Norway Asian Handicap -1.5 is a bold but value-driven selection. I expect Norway to take control after a competitive opening and pull clear, with a 3-0 home win the correct-score prediction.
FreeOddsTips Prediction
Norway should carry more attacking threat in Oslo and have the home record to justify backing them with a bigger line. Denmark can cause moments of danger, but the hosts have enough quality around Haaland to turn a narrow lead into a convincing victory.
Best Bet: Norway Asian Handicap -1.5
Odds: 3.45
Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Correct Score: Norway 3-0 Denmark
