FIFA World Cup preview: Denmark

One thing you can say about Denmark - they are consistently inconsistent.

The Danes have made five World Cups in the past and reached the quarterfinals at their best, but they have also been absent from the finals since 2010.

This is one of the sides that Australia's Socceroos will have to beat if they want to advance, so it becomes a case of which Denmark will show up.

Defence will Denmark's problem, but on paper they boast a side that should easily account for Australia. France is almost certain to top this pool, so the match between Denmark and Peru could decide who takes the other spot to advance out of the group stage.

Peru, June 17

Australia, June 21

France, June 27

Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen missed Denmark's recent friendly against Sweden to be by partner Sabrina Kvist Jensen's side as she gave birth to his first son. He has rejoined the squad and will an important cog in their World Cup assault. Not only does he score bag fulls of goals, he sets them up to and will be a real danger for oppositions to contain.

If Denmark does the job they should do against Australia, only Peru stands between them and progression out of this group. Australia was scratchy in qualification and had to go the long, hard way to get to Russia. But with a new coach in Bert van Marwijk and some shock squad selections (as well a 4-0 win over the Czech Republic), the Socceroos could play party pooper to Denmark. It looms as a danger game for both nations.