Prediction: Austria vs Northern Ireland

Prediction: Austria win

Best Odds: 3/10

Bookmaker: 888sport

Now that we have the full line-up of 24 countries that will take part in next year’s UEFA Euro 2021 tournament, it’s time to turn our attention back to the UEFA Nations League. This competition, that is still in its infancy, proved last night why it can serve as such a valuable tool for teams that are looking for an alternate route into a major international tournament. Today, we’re going to take a look at what should be an exciting UNL clash between two nations that are in very different places right now – Austria and Northern Ireland.

Austria

Austria are slowly but surely building a team for themselves that, by all accounts, could do some big things next summer after they successfully qualified for UEFA Euro 2021. They’re situated in a group with the Netherlands, Ukraine and North Macedonia, and while nobody wants to speak too soon, we’d suggest that they will fancy their chances of reaching the knockout stage – but that doesn’t mean they should lose track of their Nations League duties.

Team News

Vallci and Ullmann, both uncapped, are out due to COVID-19. The only other absences for the hosts are Grillitsch and Schopf who are both on the shelf through injury.

Northern Ireland

When you come so close to achieving your goal before ultimately falling short, it can be hard to take. That’s the position Northern Ireland find themselves in right now after they were beaten in their play-off final by Slovakia during the week. They threw everything they had at them only to stumble at the last hurdle, but now that they know what their immediate future holds, they have to reshift their focus to ensure they have the best chance of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Team News

The expectation is that Baraclough will mix up the starting XI after 120 minutes of action against Slovakia, with the two noted absences being Evans and Kennedy with Jonny Evans being tipped for a rest after some smaller injury issues.

Factors to Consider

• Austria are in first place in League B Group 1 with nine points whereas Northern Ireland are in fourth place with one point.
• Austria have won five and lost one of their last six games.
• Northern Ireland have drawn two and lost four of their last six games.
• Austria have scored 11 goals and conceded five in their last six games.
• Northern Ireland have scored four goals and conceded 11 in their last six games.

Conclusion

It really does feel like the visitors are going to be down and out for a while and that’s completely understandable given their circumstances. Still, they’ll want to put up something resembling a fight, even if we think the Austrians are just far too consistent to trouble right now. It’s not going to be a blowout through the scoreline but it could also wind up being a bit of a tactical clinic, which is why we’re going to suggest Austria will win 2-0.

Prediction: Austria win

Best Odds: 3/10

Bookmaker: 888sport