Prediction: Scotland vs Austria

Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw

Best Odds: 9/2

Bookmaker: Betfair

Scotland and Austria will face each other in their opening 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign this week. Steve Clarke’s side and Franco Foda’s team will lock horns with each other at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Thursday. The Group F game is slated to kick off at 7:45pm UK time.

Scotland

Scotland are having huge success under manager Clarke. They have qualified for the European Championship in the summer of 2021, and the fans must be excited. Scotland have a good team with hard-working players, and the football-mad country have long awaited taste of competitive football in a major competition.

The Scots will be determined to head into the European Championship in good form, and that is one of the reasons why they will want to win all of their 2022 World Cup qualifiers during this international break. Clarke’s team ended 2020 with defeats to Slovakia and Israel, and the players will want to bounce back from that. With Denmark, Austria, Israel, the Faroe Islands and Moldova in the group, Scotland will fancy their chances of at least finishing second.

Team News:

Scott McTominay is likely to start in midfield, with Scott McKenna playing in defence. David Marshall could start between the posts for Scotland.

Austria

Austria have a strong team and one of the best players in the world in David Alaba. They will fancy their chances of winning the group, knowing that only Denmark can match or better them, on paper at least. Das Team are progressing well, and the signs are very positive in terms of achieving success.

There are some brilliant players in the Austrian team other than Bayern Munich star Alaba. Valentino Lazaro, on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach from Inter Milan, and RB Salzburg midfielder Marcel Sabitzer are very good footballers who will want to do well this week.

Team News:

Adrian Grbic and Sasa Kalajdzic are both pushing for a start, while Florian Grillitsch could replace the injured Julian Baumgartlinger in midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• Scotland have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six matches.
• Austria have won five and drawn one of their last six matches.
• Scotland’s last six games have seen under 2.5 goals scored on average.
• Che Adams and Kevin Nisbet could make their debuts for Scotland.
• Scotland last played against Austria in 2007 and won 1-0.

Conclusion

Scotland are not in good form, but they will feel confident of picking up all three points against Austria. The visitors will come with a plan and will not be easy pushovers. A draw is the likeliest outcome.

Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw

Best Odds: 9/2

Bookmaker: Betfair