Denmark U20 vs Finland U20: prediction & betting odds December 26, 2025

The Matchday 1 fixture of the 2026 World Junior Championship between Denmark and Finland will take place on December 26 at 3M Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. Denmark – Finland: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

Denmark

Denmark return to the top tier of the World Junior Championship for the first time in six years. Their last appearance came in 2019, when they lost all group-stage matches in regulation and were later beaten by Kazakhstan in the relegation series. Denmark have never finished among the medallists at the tournament; their best results came in 2015 and 2017, when they reached the quarter-finals but were beaten on both occasions without scoring.

One of the most notable names in Denmark’s squad for this tournament is forward Mads Kongsbak Kluve, who was selected by the Florida Panthers in the most recent draft. Forward Anton Linde has 12 points in 26 games this season for Chicoutimi (4+8). Also worth watching are Tristan Petersen, who registered 17 points (9+8) for Penticton, and Emil Jakobsen, who has accumulated 40 points in 36 games (20+20) in the Karlskrona system this season.

• Denmark have scored at least two goals in regulation time in their last 11 official matches.
• No more than seven goals were scored in 60 minutes in 6 of Denmark's previous 9 official matches.
• Denmark lost in regulation by at least a three-goal margin in 3 of their last 4 official head-to-head meetings.

Finland

Finland finished second in the group stage at last year's World Juniors. In the knockout rounds they defeated Slovakia (5-3) and Sweden (4-3 AOT) but lost to the United States in the final (3-4), taking silver. That marked Finland’s first podium finish in three years, matching their 2022 result when they also lost in the final. Finland are three-time world champions in the 21st century.

Almost half of Finland's squad are returnees from last year’s tournament, including silver medallists. That group features goaltender Petteri Rimpinen, who was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper last year; Finland conceded just eight goals in the group stage, the second-best tally in their group of five. The absence of Konsta Helenius is a significant loss, but there are other players to monitor. Oliver Suvanto’s numbers with Tappara (2+5) may not look eye-catching, but he plays in the professional Finnish league and is considered a notable draft prospect. Defence prospect Juho Piiparinen, also draft-eligible in 2026, has three assists in 26 games for Tappara.

• Finland failed to score more than three goals in regulation in 6 of their last 7 World Junior matches.
• The team conceded at least three goals in 60 minutes in 9 of their previous 11 games at the World Juniors.
• No more than six goals were scored in regulation in 6 of the last 7 World Junior matches involving Finland.

Denmark – Finland: Match Prediction

With almost half their squad having World Junior experience from last year, Finland look one of the most experienced and balanced teams in this tournament. On paper they should pose a strong challenge and, given the makeup of the opposition, they ought to avoid any early problems — both on the scoreboard and emotionally.

Denmark, who have not featured in the top tier since 2019, should not be expected to cause an upset; their primary aim will be to secure their place in the division for next year. In that context a game against Latvia is likely more decisive for them, so they are unlikely to trouble Finland greatly here.

In pre-tournament friendlies Denmark lost four recent games by margins of at least five goals, often against modest opposition. Their most recent meeting with Finland ended in a 0-7 defeat. As last tournament’s silver medallists, Finland should be able to beat a side that has only just returned to the top tier and currently poses limited threat.

My prediction: Finland -4.5