The Danes will be hosting the European Under-21 Championships in June, although they have been drawn in a different group to Stuart Pearce’s team, who are 6/5 to win Thursday’s match.

Denmark qualified for the tournament as hosts, but England struggled to join them, finishing as runners-up to Greece in Group Nine before sealing their place in the finals with a narrow 2-1 play-off success against Romania.

With another friendly against Iceland on Monday to prepare for, Pearce selected a big squad for the double-header although five early withdrawals have lessened his options.

Jack Rodwell, Gary Hooper, Mark Davies, Henri Lansbury and Alex Smithies have all dropped out as Pearce continues to ponder his options as he attempts to pick a 23-man squad for this summer’s extravaganza.

Celtic striker Hooper’s injury is particularly unfortunate as the prolific former Scunthorpe United star was set to win his first cap for his country, while Huddersfield goalkeeper Smithies has returned to his club with a slight injury.

Everton’s Rodwell is probably the highest-profile absentee, although Jack Wilshere – a regular in the Under-21 side until recently – is now an established fixture in the senior squad.

The withdrawals could hand chances to the likes of Ipswich Town teenager Connor Wickham and Chelsea starlet Josh McEachran, who were part of last year’s Under-17 Championship winning team.

England’s last game was February’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Italy in Empoli while Denmark, 9/5 to win the match and 11/5 to draw, are coached by Keld Bordinggaard, although ex-Dundee and Celtic midfielder Morten Wieghorst will take on the role after this summer’s tournament.

The Danes were beaten 2-1 by ten-man Spain last month but are an attractive side that includes the likes of Villarreal’s Nicki Bille Nielsen and Jens Stryger Larsen of Brondby.

Reading goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen is also among their ranks while the goals are most likely to come from Lille’s Emil Lyng or Soren Frederiksen of Copenhagen.

Last month, Fabio Capello’s senior side were forced to come from behind before beating Denmark 2-1 in an international friendly, but the youthful Danish side could have the edge in this one – they 11/2 to win it 1-0 – as Pearce continues to juggle his resources.

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Chelsea

Two goals from the forgotten striker Nicolas Anelka were enough for Chelsea to cruise past their Danish opponents in the first leg.

Big-money signing Fernando Torres has been taking most of the spotlight at Stamford Bridge, despite the fact that he has failed to score in his first five games in a Blues shirt (Torres 8/13 to score anytime against Copenhagen).

Whether the former Liverpool striker can work alongside Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba has been one of the main talking points and is a question that manager Carlo Ancelotti has to deal with seemingly at every press conference.

This has left Anelka out of the limelight but it seemed to suit the Frenchman as he was clinical in front of goal at the Parken Stadium.

Ancelotti is likely to start with Torres and Drogba upfront, as the Blues hold a comfortable lead in this tie and can afford to let these two talented strikers work on their partnership.

This is unfortunate for Anelka, who has been the top goalscorer for the Blues in the current campaign.

FC Copenhagen battled against the Blues in front of their home fans but lacked that bit of quality when it came to the final third.

The Danish side, who are cruising their domestic league by 19 points, managed to hold Spanish giants Barcelona to a draw in the Champions League group stages, so they are capable of surprising big teams.

However, they will need to raise their game if they are to get anything out of the game at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

Former Blues boy Jesper Gronkjaer was limited in what he could do against his old employers during the first leg and he was responsible for allowing Anelka to get his first goal at the Parken Stadium.

The 33-year-old will be hoping for a happy return to the Bridge but he and his team-mates will have to try and keep hold of the ball more against their Premier League opponents.

Copenhagen only managed just 41% of possession at home and they will find it more difficult on the road to keep hold of the ball.

Chelsea (5/1 – Champions League outright) have looked pretty comfortable throughout the Champions League and have yet to be really tested in the competition.

They may have to wait a little longer to face that test and they should comfortably beat Copenhagen on Wednesday night.

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