Austria Women vs Norway Women Predictions

• Norway Women had won six consecutive games before their 8-0 thrashing at the hands of England.
• Austria have not beaten a side ranked higher than 19^th in the world since a penalty shoot-out victory over Spain in July 2017.
• Norway are unbeaten in three previous head-to-head meetings between the sides.

Group A set for decisive clash

Friday’s meeting between Austria and Norway is essentially a play-off to reach the quarter-finals of the Women’s Euros, with Martin Sjorgen’s Norwegians needing a win after their record-breaking 8-0 loss to England. But Norway, ranked 11^th in the world, are certainly better than they showed in that humiliating defeat, and enter this contest as favourites.

Indeed, Norway had won six consecutive matches prior to their hammering by the Lionesses, including an impressive victory over Denmark. Norway have only failed to get past the first round of a European Championship on three occasions, making the final four at four of the last five tournaments. Sjorgen’s side – who have netted 17 goals in their last seven games – must go for the throat on Friday, and should be highly motivated to put things right after Monday’s rout.

Austria, meanwhile, kept their hopes of qualification alive with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland last time out, making it eight victories in their last 10 matches, but their record against better opponents leaves much to be desired – all of their wins since July 2017 have come against teams ranked 19^th in the world or lower – Belgium being the best outfit they’ve defeated, and they are winless in three previous meetings with Norway.

Norway can respond with decisive victory

Norway will surely come out with all guns blazing at the AMEX Stadium, and should find dispatching Austria a far easier task than competing with a rampant England team.

However, four of Norway’s last six matches have seen both teams score, so a narrow 2-1 win for Sjorgen’s team looks a solid correct score prediction.