Nicklas Bendtner
Denmark's Nicklas Bendtner will be looking to continue his strong record against Portugal, having scored in all three competitive appearances against the Iberian outfit. Reuters

Denmark take on Portugal at noon ET, with both sides having everything to play for in the so-called group of death. Portugal will be desperate to get a victory after falling to a 1-0 defeat against Germany in their opening encounter. While a draw would barely keep their hopes alive, a defeat would condemn Paulo Bento's side to an early exit.

It is a very different scenario for Denmark. A victory against the odds over the Netherlands has set them up with a chance to qualify from a group in which they were viewed as the rank outsiders. And Morten Olsen's side should have plenty of confidence going into Wednesday's contest, which can be viewed on ESPN and online at ESPN3.

The two sides have met both in qualifying for these European Championships and for the last World Cup, with Denmark topping the group on both occasions. A repeat of the 2-1 victory the Danes recorded in their last meeting with Portugal, last October, would put them on the verge of a place in the quarter-finals.

Both coaches have named their starting 11s, with both sides unchanged from their opening match.

Bento has resisted the urge to drop the ineffective Helder Postiga, meaning that the veteran leads the line having got the nod over Hugo Almeida and exciting youngster Nelson Oliveira.

The one question over Olsen's selection was whether he would bring in the more defensively-minded full back Michael Sliberbauer. But, despite Silberbauer's impressive performances in the past against Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani, Olsen has elected to stick with Simon Poulsen.

Denmark (4-2-3-1)

G: Andersen

D: Jacobsen, Kjaer, Agger, Poulsen

M: Kvist, Zimling

Rommedahl, Eriksen, Krohn-Dehli

F: Bendtner

Portugal (4-3-3)

G: Rui Patricio

D: Pereira, Alves, Pepe, Coentrao

M: Meireles,Veloso, Moutinho

F: Nani, Postiga, Ronaldo

Prediction: Portugal coach Bento is sure to bow to pressure to allow his team more freedom to go forward in a match that realistically they need to win. With Postiga once again unlikely to pose a major threat up front, Portugal's hopes will rest on star man Cristiano Ronaldo.

Although they were predominately on the back foot against the Netherlands, Denmark showed that they are not shy in committing men forward at the right times. All of which should make for a closely-fought, entertaining contest.

Denmark 2-2 Portugal