Prediction: Austria vs Kazakhstan

Verdict: Austria to score in both halves

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to put a maiden Nations League victory on the board, Austria will welcome Kazakhstan to the Raiffeisen Arena on Thursday night.

Austria

Starting with the hosts, suffering real EURO 24 frustration over the summer as they fell to a Round of 16 2-1 defeat at the hands of Turkey, Austria have the feel of a squad seeking a boost. Getting their Nations League adventure underway on September 6th with a sluggish 1-1 stalemate away at Slovenia, Das Team have put just a single point on the board from any of their opening two League B appearances. Last seen slumping to a late 2-1 loss against Norway, Ralf Rangnick’s men also know the importance of claiming some crucial defensive resolve. In fact, Austria have failed to muster a sole clean sheet from any of their previous nine showdowns across all competitions – a run that stems back to March 23rd. Nevertheless, despite their recent issues, the one-time Manchester United boss should be smelling a golden opportunity in midweek.

Team News

Despite dealing with a minor knock last month, Borussia Dortmund skipper marcel Sabitzer has been included in Austria’s squad and will lead out Rangnick’s side on Thursday night. Opening his Champions League account Red Star on October 1st, Inter Milan’s Marko Arnautovic should earn a 119th international cap here.

With ex-Bayern Munich goalkeeper Yann Sommer announcing his international retirement back in August, Brondby’s Patrick Pentz will start between the sticks. Despite not featuring over the past month, Leeds defender Max Wober has been handed a spot in Rangnick’s squad.

Kazakhstan

As for the visitors, while Kazakhstan might have gained plenty of plaudits from across the continent following their EURO 24 qualifying charge last year, the Hawks have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Eventually watching their dreams of booking a ticket to Germany go up in smoke after slumping to a 5-0 drumming against Greece on March 21st, Stanislav Cherchesov’s side have continued to show a string of issues. Last seen signing off September’s international break with a 3-0 loss at the hands of Slovenia, Thursday’s guests have now lost five of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Pencilled in as a landslide underdog when they return to Nations League action in midweek, Kazakhstan have also lost each of their last six straight showdowns on foreign soil.

Team News

With Cherchesov clearly looking to shake things up, the trio of Stas Pokatilov, Sultanbek Astanov and Arthur Shushenachev have all been recalled to Kazakhstan’s squad. While Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov might have only got six minutes of Super Lig action under his belt this season, the Besiktas midfielder has been included.

Also playing his domestic football over in Turkey with Adana Demirspor, 29-year-old Abat Aymbetov will spearhead the Hawks’ charge in the final third. With no signs of announcing his international retirement, veteran goalkeeper Igor Shatsky will start between the sticks here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Austria and Kazakhstan last met back in October 2012 wheel in World Cup qualifying action, Thursday’s hosts collected a thumping 4-0 victory.
• However, Austria have failed to muster a sole clean sheet from any of their previous nine showdowns across all competitions.
• Kazakhstan have failed to win any of their previous six appearances across all competitions – a run that includes five defeats and a single draw.
• The Hawks have lost each of their previous six consecutive showdowns on foreign soil.
• Austria have not conceded a single goal in any of their four historic battles against Kazakhstan.

Conclusion

While Austria might find themselves at the heart of what has been a real struggle over the past few months, Rangnick’s side will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity here. Looking to put a maiden Nations League victory on the board, Thursday’s hosts should be too strong for a Kazakhstan squad that have continued to show their own glaring issues. With the Hawks losing all of their previous six showdowns on foreign soil by an aggregate score of 17-5, it is no surprise that Austria are pencilled in as a landslide contender in midweek.

Verdict: Austria to score in both halves

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet