Denmark and Peru will go head-to-head at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk two hours after Australia finish their opener against France tomorrow night.

"France are the group favorites. If we want to secure the second spot then we need to win against Peru. We need the points," said Hareide.

His team have kept five clean sheets and conceded just once in their last seven matches, and the 64 year-old thinks his side have the edge when it comes to the aerial battle.

"We have an advantage in the air - we're better in this department and have to make it count. We're good defensively, which is important in football. We have recently made adjustments to out attack... we have a disciplined team," he said.

Denmark play Australia in their second group game on Thursday, and will he desperate for points on the board before facing fellow Europeans France on 26 June.