Denmark will be very wary of a "wounded" France in their decisive group A match in Inchon on Tuesday and coach Morten Olsen said his side are the underdogs.
The world champions take on the group opponents they know the best, needing a two-goal victory to be certain of reaching the second round.
The title-holders are bottom on the group with one point after their opening 1-0 defeat to Senegal and a goalless draw with Uruguay last week.
They would become the first holders to lose in the first round since Brazil in England in 1966 if they fail to achieve the required margin of victory.
"Having France bottom of the group is just ridiculous," said Olsen. "There were the favourites of the group and they still are. On Tuesday, we will be the underdogs."
Denmark are leaders on four points, level with the Senegalese.
Asked if France can beat the Danes by two goals, Olsen said: "When you play soccer everything can happen. You can have a bad day. But I think the gap between our two countries has narrowed.
"The French have been unlucky so far. Their results have nothing to do with their true level," said defender Thomas Helveg. "They are still a very dangerous side. And they are wounded.
"Before the tournament started I thought they would go through easily and now they have still to score a goal. And it means they will really go for it. But we know them quite well and we know what to expect."
Since 1984, France and Denmark have met four times in international tournaments. The French have won three times and the Danes clinched one victory en route to their unexpected European triumph in 1992.
