'Last few questions need answers' - Wales boss Wilkinson

Nations League: Denmark v Wales

Venue: Odense Stadion, Odense Date: Friday, 30 May Kick-off: 18:15 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Two Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary

Highlights: S4C and BBC iPlayer, 21:35 BST and later on demand.

Wales face Denmark in Odense with both their Nations League A status and Euro 2025 squad places on the line.

Rhian Wilkinson's side will appear at a major finals for the first time when they take to the pitch in Lucerne against the Netherlands in little more than a month's time.

But they first must avoid defeat in Denmark to have any chance of staying in the top-tier of the Nations League going into Tuesday's final game against Italy.

Wales have impressed during the campaign – including two draws against traditional heavyweights Sweden – but are yet to win from their four fixtures so far.

Head coach Wilkinson says she has had to balance ambitions of staying among the elite and preparations for Switzerland, including final decisions on players to make up the squad for the championships.

"There's a few last questions I need answered," Wilkinson said. "I don't think we can hide from it, these are the last two games before a big decision needs to be made.

"We are proud to be here [in League A] and at no point have we sacrificed a game - but we have experimented because there have been questions I needed to ask in putting together a Euros squad.

"We've taken it seriously from the start and we continue to. It's been a great challenge for us... and it's always going to be that fight to stay [in League A].

"We may bounce back down, but it's part of where we are in our growth.

"We want to stay in League A and will give everything we can to stay up here, but I'm not going to sacrifice my preparation for the Euros."

Wilkinson – still without Sophie Ingle but who welcomes back Jess Fishlock for the game – has previously said she has a good idea of the majority of the selection that will travel this summer.

But she added that there has been no tension in camp prior to two key games for players still unsure if they have made the cut.

Several players have stepped up to impress against top-level opponents, with Wales' defeats - to Denmark and Italy - being by one-goal margins.

And captain Angharad James says – despite the summer excitement looming large – full focus is on delivering against Denmark having pushed the Danes close in last month's 2-1 defeat in Cardiff.

"If we get a result it puts in good stead going into Tuesday (against Italy)," said Seattle Reign midfielder James.

"This is where we want to be. We want to play against the best teams in the world as often as we can to see how far we've come and, sometimes, how far we need to go.

"It's been a journey for us but it's not over yet. We fully believe we can remain in League A."

What's at stake?

Wales will be relegated to League B if they lose in Odense. A draw will not be enough to avoid dropping out of the top tier if Italy avoid defeat in their game against Sweden in Parma.

Victory would keep hopes alive of retaining their League A status going into Tuesday's final game with Italy in Swansea.

Denmark, meanwhile, must win against Wales to maintain pressure on Sweden in the bid to reach the Nations League finals.

The Danes – 19 places above Wales (31st) in the Fifa rankings – are currently third in Group A4, level on six points with Italy and two points behind leaders Sweden.

Wales – yet to win a game – are bottom on the two points gained from their two 1-1 draws with Sweden.

The team who finishes in third enters a relegation play-off with a runner up from League B in October.

Staying in League A means a kinder qualification path for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

Team news

Wales have no fresh injury concerns having welcomed back record cap-holder Fishlock, striker Kayleigh Barton and midfielder Ceri Holland from the squad that faced Sweden in Gothenburg last month.

Fishlock was an unused substitute for the 2-1 defeat by the Danes in Cardiff four days earlier before heading back to her club in the US as a precaution, but returned to action at the weekend.

"Seattle have really supported her to be as fit and healthy as she possibly can be and that's what we have with us: a Jess ready to go," said Wilkinson of the 38-year-old.

As well as midfielder Ingle, veteran goalkeeper Laura O'Sullivan is absent after suffering an ACL injury during the last camp. The 18-year-old Aston Villa keeper Soffia Kelly has been included in the squad as well as uncapped stopper Poppy Soper, although Leicester's Olivia Clark and Safia Middleton-Patel are likely to be the two Wilkinson has to decide between to start.

Uncapped Bristol City forward Tianna Teisar and 18-year-old Manchester United midfielder Mared Griffiths are also among the teenagers among the options in Odense.

Denmark could hand a debut to 21-year-old Nordsjaelland midfielder Anna Walter who has been called up to replace Josefine Hasbo who misses the game while sitting her final exams at Harvard University.

The hosts are set to be captained by Bayern Munich's Pernille Harder while 36-year-old defender Sanne Troelsgaard could win her 195th cap.

Match facts

• Wales are yet to record a victory from their four Nations League group games – the side's longest winless run since Rhian Wilkinson was appointed in February 2024.

• Jess Fishlock has scored in her last three appearances against the Danes, including the last time Wales played in Denmark – a 2-1 defeat in Viborg in October 2023.

• Since joining Bayern Munich from Chelsea in 2023, only two players have scored more Bundesliga goals than Pernille Harder's 22.

• Denmark have lost their last two home games (Italy and Sweden) for the first time since 2018.

• Wales (3) and Denmark (6) have scored nine goals between them, with nine different goalscorers.