Austria is set to face Bosnia-Herzegovina in a critical World Cup qualifying match at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion. The game will take place on Tuesday and will be decisive for both teams’ hopes of automatic qualification for the World Cup.
Match Overview
Currently, Austria sits at the top of their group with 18 points after a convincing 2-0 victory over Cyprus. Bosnia-Herzegovina, marked as the second team, trails by two points and needs a win to secure direct qualification.
Austrian Team Performance
- Austrian players have scored a total of 21 goals in their qualifiers, averaging over three goals in their last eight matches.
- They have managed to concede only three goals, ranking among the best defensive teams in the qualifiers.
- Austria remains undefeated in 11 out of 13 of their recent matches.
Recent Matches
Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic showcased his talent with a two-goal performance against Cyprus. The team’s strong form has them aiming for their seventh victory in eight matches, particularly at home.
Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Road to Qualification
Bosnia-Herzegovina recently secured a 3-1 win against Romania, benefiting from an opponent’s red card. They have scored 16 goals in qualifiers while conceding six. Their last three matches resulted in high offensive output with nine goals scored.
- Coach Sergej Barbarez has led the team to two victories in his last three matches.
- They have blended strong attacks with a solid game plan, although they lost 2-1 to Austria in their previous encounter.
Team News and Lineups
Austria will likely field a lineup featuring Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer, with Konrad Laimer possibly utilized as a left-back. The expected formation is:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Schlager |
| Defenders | Posch, Danso, Lienhart, Laimer |
| Midfielders | Schlager, Seiwald |
| Forwards | Sabitzer, Baumgartner, Schmid, Arnautovic |
Bosnia-Herzegovina will also face challenges with key players suspended, including Nikola Katic and Amar Dedic. Their likely starting 11 includes:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Vasijl |
| Defenders | Malic, Muharemovic, Hadzikadunic, Kolasinac |
| Midfielders | Tahirovic, Basic |
| Forwards | Bajraktarevic, Bazdar, Memic, Dzeko |
Predictions
Based on recent performances, Austria appears poised to win, although Bosnia-Herzegovina is expected to present a formidable challenge. The anticipated outcome sees Austria winning 2-1, extending their strong home form as they chase World Cup dreams.
