Sturm Graz vs Rapid Vienna Predictions

Rapid Vienna finished three points ahead of Sturm Graz at the end of the Championship Round of the Austrian Bundesliga, but a 2-1 defeat at home in the 1st leg of their Europa League Play-Off Final leaves them with a lot of work to do on Sunday. Sturm Graz will be elated after coming from behind to win the 1st leg and know that a draw would be enough to see them qualify for next season’s Europa League.

The first half of Thursday’s 1st leg was tight and tense, and produced little in the way of goalmouth action. Rapid Vienna took the lead in front of their fans on the hour mark through Schwab, but nine minutes later gave away a penalty which Jantscher converted to bring Sturm Graz level. Both teams edged forward in search of the goal that would give their side the advantage heading into the 2nd leg, and in the seventy-eight minute the unfortunate Greiml deflected the ball into the back of his own net and Sturm Graz won the game 2-1.

There is a lot of history between these two clubs, and in recent seasons a lot of draws as well, but the form of both teams has been hit and miss this month, and the facts point towards both teams scoring on Sunday and the game ending in a draw. Four of the last seven encounters between these two clubs have ended in draws, and all of those stalemates have produced under 2.5 goals. Both team’s form heading into Sunday’s 2nd leg has been inconstant, with Sturm Graz losing four and winning two of their last six, and Rapid Vienna winning three and losing three of their last six. Both teams have scored in five of Sturm Graz’s and three of Rapid Viernna’s last six matches, which is why we’re backing the 2nd leg to end 1-1.

Pink top scores for Sturm Graz this season with six Bundesliga goals, while Murg has netted seven for rapid Vienna. We’re confident that Sunday’s game will end in a draw, and have predicted a final scoreline of 1-1. There have been a lot of draws between these two sides over the last few seasons and with so much at stake we’re expecting another tight and tense ninety minutes on Sunday.