Austria vs Croatia prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League A betting tips on match 2022-09-24 18:45.
Austria know they will be consigned back to the second tier of the UEFA Nations League (UNL) if they can’t end a run of four games without a win (D1, L3). Ralf Rangnick’s side slipped to the foot of Group A1 on Thursday by losing 2-0 against nearest rivals France, and although Rangnick admitted he was “extremely annoyed” at how they conceded, he insists his side will do “everything they can” to avoid relegation.
Even a victory may not be enough to survive if France also collect maximum points against Denmark, making injuries to David Alaba, Andi Weimann and Marko Arnautović even more untimely. Perhaps though, Austria can draw some heart from the fact they are unbeaten in the last five matches Alaba has missed (W4, D1), though five winless games from their last seven UNL home matches (W2, D3, L2) certainly doesn’t inspire confidence ahead of what is a must-win game.
Standing in Austria’s way are Croatia, whom Rangnick’s side have beaten just once in six previous meetings (L5). That sole H2H defeat for Croatia did come earlier on in the UNL campaign, but it has proved to be Croatia’s only loss of what has been an impressive group stage so far (W3, D1, L1) and a win for Zlatko Dalić’s side in this clash will secure top spot and a place in the finals in June 2023.
The Blazers moved into top-spot by beating Denmark 2-1 on Thursday night, and despite conceding for the first time in three games, boss Dalić was thrilled with his defence, stating “we really have five or six great stoppers”. That backline has helped make Croatia one of the most formidable teams in Europe over the last year, having remarkably suffered only one defeat in 14 matches since being knocked out of Euro 2020 (W9, D4), fuelling hopes of a first-ever UNL finals appearance.
Players to watch: Marcel Sabitzer scored in Austria’s only previous win over Croatia and his last four international goals have been the game’s last. Meanwhile, Lovro Majer has been beaten just once in nine international caps (W6, D2), scoring the final goal of the game in both of his scoring appearances.
Hot stat: Austria come into this game with two consecutive losses, but haven’t lost three successive matches since a run of five straight defeats between November 2010 and June 2011