Prediction: Austria vs Northern Ireland

Verdict: Both Teams to Score – No

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: bet365

Both Austria and Northern Ireland suffered defeats at the opening of their respective UEFA nations League campaigns and will be extremely motivated to turn things around and register their first win in the competition and remain in contention for top spot in League B, Group 3.

Austria

Das Team had a disappointing start to their UEFA nations League campaign as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica earlier in September. Edin Dzeko fired the hosts to victory with only 12 minutes left on the clock and pushed his team to the top of the group.

Austria now head into the forthcoming clash against Northern Ireland hoping to extend their home run which now stretches to nine wins out of last 13 competitive matches. One of two defeats suffered during that time came at the hands of the Republic of Ireland and Austria will now be particularly vigilant in an effort to avoid losing to the neighbouring country as well. The hosts will be hoping forward duo Marcel Sabitzer and Marko Arnautovic will be on top of their game against Northern Ireland as these two players are expected to carry the team forward. Sabitzer scored a brace for RB Leipzig last time out while Marko Arnautovic scored 19 goals for his country in 72 outings and will be considered a major threat.

Team News

Austria boss Franco Foda will have almost a full crop of players to choose from with an exception of David Alaba.

The Bayern Munich wing-back sustained a hamstring injury and will be ruled out of the forthcoming match.

Northern Ireland

After their surprising 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Bosnia – the lowest ranked side in League B – in the opening of the UEFA Nations League in September, Northern Ireland went on to record a 3-0 friendly victory over Israel three days later.

Michael O’Neill will hope to gain some match consistency heading to Austria as it’s been over a year since they recorded back-to-back victories. Winning at Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna will be easier said than done given Northern Ireland’s poor record away from home. Green and White Army failed to win any of their last four away matches, whereas they have only managed one win in Austria in their five encounters away against Das Team. Northern Ireland have, however, proven to be a tough nut to crack and if there is one thing you can count on than it is goals – the lack of same to be more precise. Not exactly known for high-scoring results, 15 of Northern Ireland’s last 17 matches resulted in only one or no team hitting the back of the net.

Team News

One of the most experienced players in the team, Kyle Lafferty, ruled himself out of the game after informing the manager he will not be joining the rest of the team.

Injured Niall McGinn will also be unavailable, as well as Jamie Ward who is lacking match fitness. Kyle Vassel will be hoping for his Northern Ireland debut after being drafted for the squad for the first time by O’Neill.

Key Factors to Consider

• Austria won 7 of their last 8 home matches across all competitions
• 12 of Northern Ireland’s last 17 matches resulted in under 2.5 goals
• Austria kept three clean sheets in four home matches vs Northern Ireland
• Northern Ireland won only 2 of their last 9 away matches
• Michael O’Neill’s men failed to score a single goal in their last 4 matches on the road

Conclusion

Austria are enjoying a successful run of results in front of home supporters and will be looking to keep it alive against Northern Ireland who are not exactly a goalscoring side. Numbers and stats point out to a low-scoring affair which should result in one (or both) sides failing to score in Vienna.

Verdict: Both Teams to Score – No

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: bet365