Austria Wien vs Rosenborg Predictions, Betting Tips, & Match Preview

Austria Wien, though historically one of the most successful teams in Austrian football, have had a difficult few years domestically. With the growth and dominance of Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga since their takeover in 2005, traditional giants Austria Wien, and across city rivals Rapid Wien, must feel hard done by. Austria Wien were only able to lock up a third place finish in their 2015/2016 Austrian Bundesliga campaign. Despite finishing the season out strong, with four wins from their last five matches, their season long inconsistency saw them finish fifteen points short of title winning RB Salzburg.

Norwegian champions Rosenberg, though regulars to European competition since the turn of the millennium, have similarly had a tough few years. Rosenberg have finished as runners up twice, in 2013 and 2014, since winning the Tippeligaen in 2010. Their dominating 2015 title win, however, has signaled their return to form and as one of the best teams in Norway. Rosenberg’s 1st place finish qualified them for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in five years, where they beat Swedish side Norrkoping 5-4 on aggregate in the second qualifying round. Unfortunately, their Champions League run soon came to an end. Rosenberg failed to hold onto a 2-1 first leg advantage against APOEL, losing 3-0 in the second leg of the third qualifying round, seeing them pooled into the Europa League draw for this playoff fixture.

Comparing the path of both sides to this point in the competition shows some value for us in the Norwegian side. Rosenborg were performing well in the Champions League until their knockout and, with the 2016 Norwegian domestic season already well underway, they are on track for another Tippeligaen title win, sitting nine points top. In contrast, Austria Wien come into this off the back of two consecutive league defeats at an early stage of the Bundesliga season and only narrowly made their way through to the Europa League playoff round, winning on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate finish.

Trends show that recent matches from both sides are full of action (see statistics) and, as such, we feel that over 2.5 goals and both teams to score at 11/10, and Rosenborg to win 2-1 at 11/1 with bet365, are decent value bets for this match.