Austria vs Wales Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview
Wales travel to face Austria in Vienna for a World Cup qualifier this Thursday. Read the match predictions to find out why a draw is the betting tip to at Ernst-Happel-Stadion.
Austria vs Wales Preview
Austria beat Georgia 1-2 in Tbilisi to get off to a winning start in Group D but are behind Wales on goal difference after the Dragons romped to an easy 4-0 win over Moldova to top the table.
Head coach Marcel Koller is free to select the same side that beat Georgia in the opening match. Watford’s Sebastian Prödl is likely to be given a watching brief once more and Bayern Munich’s David Alaba will be running things in the engine room. Koller is likely to keep faith with the experienced head of Marc Janko in attack with support from Zlatko Junuzović in behind.
Wales will once again be without Aaron Ramsey as the Arsenal midfielder’s recovery time has been mysteriously extended, much the the disappointment of Chris Coleman. Jonny Williams was not included in the squad despite resuming light training with Ipswich and Sean MacDonald has been brought in to bolster the midfield options. Joe Allen scored a dramatic equaliser for Stoke at the weekend and was on the score-sheet against Moldova, so is expected to continue in the middle of the park.
Team Predictions Austria vs Wales
Austria 4-4-1-1 formation: Almer; Suttner, Hinteregger, Dragovic, Klein; Arnautovic, Alaba, Baumgartlinger, Harnik; Junuzović; Janko
Wales 5-3-2 formation: Hennessey; Taylor, Davies, Williams, Chester, Gunter; King, Allen, Ledley; Bale, Vokes
Austria vs Wales Betting Tips
- Austria have won 4 drawn 1 and lost 5 of their last 10 matches
- Wales have won 5 drawn 0 and lost 5 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Austria have scored an average of 1.2 goals and conceded an average of 1.3 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Wales have scored an average of 1.5 goals and conceded an average of 1.1 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Austria’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Wales’ previous 10 matches
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Austria vs Wales Prediction
Austria never got going at Euro 2016, losing 2-0 to Hungary and drawing 0-0 with eventual winners Portugal before being knocked out following at 2-1 loss to the surprise package, Iceland. However, they’ve made a convincing start to World Cup qualifying and had Georgia at arm’s length before letting in a late goal to lose the clean sheet.
The hosts have a talented squad that could worry any side on their day. The midfield is particularly industrious and with the tireless David Alaba to contend with, Wales could become overrun. Chris Gunter also likes to get forward which could afford Marko Arnautovic some space in behind the full-back.
Wales did brilliantly in France, bouncing back from defeat to England to qualify as Group winners after defeating Russia 3-0. They then edged Northern Ireland 1-0 and embarrassed Belgium 3-1 before their adventure ended in a 2-0 defeat to Portugal.
Their opening Group D game was never going to be difficult but Wales delivered on expectation to register 4 goals without reply in a comfortable win. This match will be a lot tougher though and the absence of Aaron Ramsey is likely to be more telling in Vienna.
Wales have never won away to Austria but with Gareth Bale in their ranks, there’s always likely to be a goal or two. The home side have struggled in-front of goal in recent months, so this could be a cagey game and I’m sitting on the fence to predict a draw.
Free Betting Tips
Match Prediction
Draw at 23/10 with bet365
Over/Under Prediction
Under 2.5 goals at 7/11 with 888Sport
Correct Score Prediction
1-1 draw at 23/4 with 888Sport
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