Sweden vs Austria Prediction & Tips
A resounding 5-0 win over Estonia on Saturday allowed Sweden to keep pace with the top two teams in Group F, and one of those teams is Austria, who Sweden now face knowing that another win would move them to within a point of second place. It is essentially a do-or-die clash for Sweden, who know that anything less than three points from this match would leave them on the brink of missing out on the EURO finals for the first time since 1996.
Coach Janne Andersson insists his players are “aware of the situation” but, having won six of their last nine European Championship qualifiers at home (E2, P1), it would be wise not to put too much pressure on them. Andersson also referred to his team’s potential winning margin, as goal difference is the main tie-breaker between two sides level on points, so he will surely want his charges to take the initiative here against a direct rival.
Austria were 2-0 winners in the previous meeting against their opponents this time around, but after their humiliating 1-1 draw on Thursday against Moldova (#164 in the FIFA Ranking), few know what to expect from this team. Perhaps the two extra days of recovery will help, but not the speculation about the future of coach Ralf Rangnick, who has been linked with the vacant Germany job.
He is staying for the time being, and his main task is to ensure Austria’s third consecutive appearance at a European Championship finals for the first time in its history. The Austrian side has a positive overall head-to-head record against Sweden to look for a win to bring them closer to that feat (G18, E6, P14), and interestingly, they have only won more games against two other nations than they have against their Scandinavian counterparts.
Players to watch: Viktor Gyökeres has scored in both of Sweden’s Euro qualifying wins this cycle, and if he finds the back of the net again, goals should be expected, as his four international goal-scoring appearances produced at least four goals in total. Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner was the hero of the first leg with a brace, although he scored both goals on that occasion after 80 minutes.
Key fact: In none of Sweden’s last six European Championship qualifiers have the two teams scored.
Sweden – Austria FREE TIPS
Sweden – Win @ 1.35
