Austria vs Wales
European Qualifiers – 2018 World Cup
Date: Thursday, 6th October 2016
Kick-off: 19:45 UK
Venue: Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna.
Powerhouse squads Austria (1-0-0, 3 points) and Wales (1-0-0, 3 points) are scheduled to face one another in the second matchday of Group D competitions in the 2018 UEFA World Cup UEFA qualifying tournament at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on Oct. 6, Thursday.
Austria and Wales, two of the favorites to outright advance in the 2018 World Cup from Group D, kicked off their respective campaigns with victories in Matchday 1, although the two teams had differed on how they pulled them off.
FIFA world no. 26 Austria opened their UEFA World Cup qualifiers stint with a shaky 2-1 win over lowly-seeded Georgia on the road at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi on Sep. 5, as per SBS.
Amidst the pressure from Georgia, Das Team managed to break the deadlock early at the 16th minute of the match with a goal from Augsburg defender Martin Hinteregger off an assist from Bayern Munich midfielder David Alaba.
The team was then able to double their lead with three minutes remaining before the halftime break courtesy of a shot from Basel striker Marc Janko with the cross coming from Stoke City winger Marko Arnautovic.
The hosts were able to score a consolation goal with Spartak Moscow midfielder Jano Ananidze directing Silkeborg forward Davit Skhirtladze's assist past the outstretched hands of Austrian keeper Robert Almer.
Meanwhile, Wales won their opener in lopsided fashion by crushing Moldova, 4-0, at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff also on Sep. 5, BBC Sport reported.
Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale led the Dragons with a brace at the 50th minute and in stoppage time to seal the win for head coach Chris Coleman's side.
Burnley striker Sam Vokes and Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen netted two goals in the first half, at the 38th and 44th respectively, to give Wales a 2-0 lead at the break.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a close 2-1 decision for Wales.
Austria starting lineup (4-4-1-1 formation): Almer; Klein, Dragovic, Hinteregger, Suttner; Harnik, Baumgartlinger, Alaba, Arnautovic; Junuzovic; Janko
Wales starting lineup (5-3-2 formation): Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, Williams, Davies, Taylor; Ledley, Allen, King; Vokes, Bale
Austria vs Wales: Head to Head Statistics
Austria and Wales have played 6 games against each other, Austria have won 3 times while Wales have won twice. At home, Austria have won twice and lost none to Wales. Austria have scored 7 times against Wales and conceded 5 times. At home, Austria have scored 4 times against Wales and conceded just 2 goals. They played last in 2013 in an international friendly games, the game ended 2-1 in favour of Wales.
Austria vs Wales: Prediction
Wales are the favourites in this game, they have won 5 of their last 4 games in all tournament. They have scored at least 3 goals in 3 of their last 5 games. Furthermore, they have kept clean sheets in 3 of their last 5 games.
Austria have been poor recently, they have lost 3 of their last 5 games. They have conceded at least 2 goals in 3 of their last 5 games, and have also failed to score in 3 of their last 5 games.
The game will be a tough one, but Wales will come out winners after 90 minutes.
Austria vs Wales: Tips
Wales win or draw at 1.70 (7/10)
Wales to keep a Clean-Sheet at 3.40 (12/5).
