Denmark and France clash in a mouthwatering Group C finale on Tuesday at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow (18:00 kick-off).

For Les Bleus, a draw will seal top spot in the pool and potentially set-up a second-round meeting with either Argentina or Nigeria.

That is favourable, given Group D table-toppers Croatia lie in wait for whoever finishes second.

The Danes need a point to guarantee their progression although a defeat and an Australia win over Peru could see the Socceroos progress on goal difference.

Both Denmark and France are expected to tweak their line-ups for the match although all the key performers will be on show.

Here, we weigh up the all-important battlegrounds.

The first line of defence

Andreas Christiansen v Raphael Varane

The Chelsea centre-back is growing into this tournament and has formed a sturdy defensive shield with partner and Denmark captain Simon Kjaer.

At 22, he has certainly not looked out of place at his first major tournament and has shown his class on the ball, as well as defensively, when called upon – boasting a team-high 95 per cent passing success rate.

Varane, meanwhile, has gone about his business relatively quietly in this World Cup so far. The spotlight was on his defensive partner in crime, Samuel Umtiti, for his handball against Australia while the Real Madrid star has actually been a calming, authoritative figure.

It is obvious his confidence levels are high following a strong end to the season with Los Blancos.

The 25-year-old has made a team-high seven clearances in the first two games, with his positional play generally spot-on.

Steady presence: Raphael Varane.

 

The creative sparks in midfield

Christian Eriksen v Paul Pogba

An intriguing battle of two of the Premier League‘s leading lights.

Maestro Eriksen has been in a rich vein of form – scoring 13 international goals and bagging five assists in his past 15 matches – and is the centre piece to this Danish outfit.

The Danes are reliant on his powers of creation and Pogba will be charged with shackling his forward runs into the box, such as the one he made against Australia.

That shouldn’t be a problem for Red Devil pivot Pogba, who kick-started France’s attack which eventually led to the only goal against Peru with a strong challenge.

He will also be keen to dictate play himself, having been on the ball the second-most out of anyone in the France team (62 per cent) behind fellow midfielder Corentin Tolisso (65 per cent).

Christian Eriksen wheels away after his wonder strike against Australia.

 

The men to make impact in final third

Nicolai Jorgensen v Olivier Giroud

The 27-year-old Feyenoord hitman will lead the line and will be desperate to grab his first goal of the tournament.

Combined excellently with Eriksen to tee up Tottenham star’s goal against Australia but has mustered just two shots of his own in the opening two matches.

The Danes are light on striking options but he needs to be smarter with his hold-up play to retain his place in the first XI moving forward.

On the other hand, Giroud’s inclusion from the start in the win over Peru revitalised France and gave the side a focal point, balance and structure.

Dropping Ousmane Dembele in place of the 31-year-old proved to be a shrewd move for Les Bleus as Giroud’s 34th minute shot deflected into the path of Kylian Mbappe for the Paris Saint-Germain forward to poke into an empty net.

Difference-maker: Olivier Giroud.