What: Cameroon vs. Denmark, Group E
When: Saturday, June 19, 2:30 p.m. ET
Where: Loftus Versfield Stadium, Pretoria
TV: ABC, Univision
Cameroon and Denmark dropped their openers without getting on the scoresheet, so expect both to ramp up their offense on Saturday. However, that's where the issues lie: Neither side have showed much craft going forward. Cameroon boast plenty of talent, but they struggle to get star striker Samuel Eto'o involved, especially when he's played out of position. Denmark have energy in the midfield, but they also labor in getting their go-to man—in this case Nicklas Bendtner—interested enough to be dangerous.
CAMEROON
Though there are no injuries to report, head coach Paul Le Guen will likely shake up the side that lost to Japan. Arsenal's Alex song will return to the right of midfield after missing the opening game, and Le Guen could also call upon Real Betis midfielder Achille Emana to make an impact from behind the forward line.
WATCH: CAMEROON TEAM PROFILE
The Indomitable Lions will ultimately rely on Eto'o to carry them into the next round, though, and the forward's salvation begins against Denmark. Eto'o has plenty to prove to his country and his team—but he'd rather do it from his preferred position up top, not out on the right where he was so ineffective against Japan.
"Against Japan, I played where the coach wanted," Eto'o said. "I gave it everything and I tried to put my teammates in good positions to do their job. But I am the best scorer in the history of the Cameroon national team because I play in a certain position."
DENMARK
The Danes are still something of an unknown quantity in this tournament, despite dropping their opener 2-0 to Holland. The heavily favored Dutch team earned two lucky goals—one own goal and another following a defensive slip—to flatter the scoreline. Denmark showed they are capable of playing tidy, organized counterattack soccer, and they boast two top center backs in Daniel Agger and Simon Kjaer. But where's the offensive threat?
WATCH:DENMARK TEAM PROFILE
Forward Bendtner is no slouch when he's in top form. Though he battled fitness in the lead up to the tournament, he should be ready to go against Cameroon. Denmark coach Morten Olsen could also unleash youngster Christian Eriksen to provide a spark from the midfield.
"We have a lot of possibilities tactically," Olsen said.
Players to Watch
Cameroon: Achille Emana. If Le Guen plays Eto'o in the middle and not out wide, Emana could be the one to provide the Eto'o the support he'll need to reignite the Cameroon offense.
Denmark: Nicklas Bendtner. If Denmark want goals, Bendtner will need to find his feet. Provided he gets the service from players like Thomas Kahlenberg and Simon Poulsen, the Arsenal man could be a game-changer.
Final Analysis
Denmark have a superior defense, and their organized midfield will win the battle in the middle of the park. Cameroon will likely struggle to win possession, which will leave their best offensive weapons frustrated. The Danes could punish Cameroon on the break and will look to sneak out with a narrow win.
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