Austria vs Wales Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Austria went into Euro 2016 tipped as dark horses to go far in the competition after the long process of rebuilding their football system from grassroots and up. The likes of David Alaba, Marc Janko, Marko Arnautovic, and Alexander Dragovic were all coming into their prime and they had a wide open group of Portugal, Iceland and Hungary.

It didn’t quite work out for them though. They shockingly lost their opener 2-0 against a determined Hungary side and followed it with a drab goalless draw against Portugal. A 2-1 defeat to Iceland in the final group game put them back on the plane to Austria after a dismal showing.

Austria weren’t exactly convincing in September when they faced Georgia in their first World Cup qualifier. Goals from Hinteregger and Janko put them two up at half time, but they failed to add to this tally and a 78th minute goal for the hosts added an edge to the final 12 minutes. They did at least manage to hang on though.

With them being involved in a group including Wales, Serbia and Republic of Ireland they will have to up their game in order to qualify for the World Cup. Three points on Thursday would go a long way in that battle though.

Wales currently sit atop the group after a convincing 4-0 thrashing of Moldova in their qualifying opener. This followed on from an unbelievable run of form in France in the summer. They beat Slovakia and Russia either side of an unfortunate defeat to England to qualify top of their group, setting up a knockout stage clash with Northern Ireland.

They eventually broke them down and won 1-0 before shockingly beating the talented Belgium 3-1 in the quarter finals. They were deservedly beaten in the semi finals by eventual winners Portugal, but overall it was a fantastic campaign for Wales and will give them a lot of hope for the future. That run of form, in my eyes, makes them favourites to win this group.

This will be one of Wales’ toughest tests during qualifying though. The visitors are in great form and Austria have only won six of their last 14 home games as well. These were against the likes of Malta, Albania, Moldova, and Liechtenstein too, whereas they have struggled when Switzerland, Turkey, Brazil, and Netherlands have paid a visit to Vienna.

Wales are definitely in the same league of quality as those teams who have given Austria problems and, considering their form and Austria’s lack of it, I think the visitors have a real chance. Odds of 7/10 for a Wales Win or Draw Double Chance are incredibly good value, so I’m backing that along with a 2-1 win for Wales at 11/1 for my correct score prediction.