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

Norwegian champions Rosenberg, though regulars to European competition since the turn of the millennium, had a tough time domestically over recent years. Rosenberg finished as runners up twice in the Tippeligaen, in 2013 and 2014, before their dominating 2015 title win, signalling 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 at the playoff stage.

Austria Wien, though historically one of the most successful teams in Austrian football, have similarly 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 and 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.

Austria Wien travel to Norway with a modest 2-1 aggregate lead from the first leg. There was potential for plenty more goals in the reverse fixture, given how the match played out, but Rosenborg squandered a lot of quality chances gifted from defensive blunders. Ultimately, Austria Wien were far more clinical in front of goal, scoring two from their two shots on target. Though Rosenborg are the bookies’ favourites for this match, Wien put in a respectable performance in the first leg and deserve our consideration. As the guests come into this match with the knowledge that a draw or better will see them through to the group stages, they will likely adjust accordingly and aim to ride out the 90 minutes as conservatively as possible. Wien have won their last two Europa League away matches so are clearly capable. Despite Rosenborg’s strong home form domestically, the hosts have struggled to put in the same performances in recent European competition at home. Rosenborg have lost three and drawn one of their last four Europa League home matches, failing to score in three of these.

As such, we find decent value in backing draw or FK Austria Vienna at 11/8 and a 0-0 draw at 12/1 with bet365.