Republic of Ireland vs Austria Predictions

• Ireland are unbeaten in eight home matches
• Austria’s only defeats in 11 games have come against World Cup finalists Spain and Argentina
• Four of the Austrians’ last six matches have seen both teams find the net

Ireland in for entertaining encounter

There were no pre-match handshakes in Ireland’s controversial clash with Israel last Sunday but there were plenty of high fives on the pitch as the Boys in Green hammered their designated hosts 3-0 in Hungary. 

It was a strong reaction from Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side following a 1-0 defeat at Kosovo in their Nations League opener, and it has given them something to build on ahead of Thursday’s visit from the section’s best team, Austria. 

The Austrians have made a perfect start in Group B3, beating both Israel and Kosovo 3-1, and Ralf Rangnick’s men are favourites to extend that spotless record in Dublin. 

Dublin dust-up should provide goals

Ireland have their own impressive record to protect, however. They are unbeaten in eight home matches and with that run including a 2-0 win over Portugal and a 1-1 draw with Senegal, they cannot be readily dismissed. 

Whether the Irish have enough to beat a strong Austria team is up for debate but, at the very least, they should have enough to get on the scoresheet. 

Austria do most of their best work and their run of games without a clean sheet looks set to be extended to seven.