Poland vs Austria Predictions

• Austria have won six of their last eight matches, losing just once in that run
• Both teams to score has been a winning bet in five of Poland’s last seven matches
• Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner has scored five goals in his last six international games

Austria are a class above Poland

Both Poland and Austria gave valiant efforts in their opening Euro 2024 games, only to each fall to narrow defeats against two nations with decades of footballing pedigree, but there was more to like about the performance of one than the other. 

The Poles took an early lead against the Netherlands but lacked cutting edge from then on and allowed a mammoth 21 shots against the Dutch, who eventually ran out 2-1 victors as their continued pressure paid off. 

Austria, in contrast, arguably outplayed their opponents and only lost due to an own goal from Maximilan Wober. They managed three shots on target against France – the same amount as Les Bleus – and enjoyed 52% of the ball against the 2022 World Cup finalists. 

Based on those performances alone preference would be for Ralf Rangnick’s men, and a deeper look into the details only further enhances that feeling. 

Time for the Poles to pack their bags

Poland only qualified for this summer’s finals through the backdoor, needing a penalty shootout to edge past Wales in the playoff back in March, and even the potential return of Robert Lewandowski is unlikely to be enough to see them trouble Austria too much. 

Rangnick’s men have been exceptional since the former Manchester United boss took charge, with Das Team winning 14 of the 22 games in his tenure, hinting that they are heading for victory in Berlin while the Poles head for an early exit.

That form includes a 6-1 thrashing of Turkey as well as victories over Germany, Serbia, Sweden and Slovakia, suggesting they should have far too much for the Eagles on Friday. 

Baumgartner bound to play his part

Austria were unlucky not to beat France on Monday – the same can’t be said of Poland against the Netherlands – and would have likely earned at least a point had Christoph Baumgartner not missed a glorious chance early on in the second half. 

Baumgartner had been in excellent form prior to that miss though, scoring in each of his five international appearances before the loss to Les Bleus, and he could have a say on proceedings in Berlin. 

However, while Das Team should have enough to earn three points against Poland, both teams to score has been a winning bet in five of the Eagles last seven matches and they could net in defeat on Friday.