Austria vs Slovenia prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League B betting tips on match 2024-11-16 17:00.
[p]With three points covering the top three teams in UEFA Nations League (UNL) Group B3, there is still plenty to play for when Austria host Slovenia in Vienna on Sunday evening. Ralf Rangnick’s side begin this final round at the top of the table and on track for an immediate return to League A if they win here, but could still finish third which would see them drop into the relegation play-offs.[/p]
[p]This all comes after a slow start to the campaign which saw Austria play their first two games away and pick up only one point from fixtures in Ljubljana and Oslo. However, their subsequent home games, both played in Linz, delivered a 4-1 victory against Kazakhstan and a 5-1 win over Norway, and three points on Sunday will make it six successive victories on home turf.[/p]
[p]Looking to put a stop to that winning streak, third placed Slovenia can still finish second with a win and claim a promotion play-off position if Norway avoid defeat, but due to losing both of their H2Hs against the Norwegians, topping the table is out of the question. Their H2H record against Austria is also a poor one, losing all three clashes without scoring across 2018 and 2019, and although they did draw 1-1 in September, they have not beaten them since 1999![/p]
[p]It all adds up to a tough assignment for Matjaž Kek and his side who arrive in Vienna after being thrashed 4-1 at home against Norway on Thursday evening. But their away form over the last two years should provide them with some encouragement as they have come out on top in six of their last ten (D1, L3) on their travels.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Michael Gregoritsch has scored in his last three Austria appearances, matching a run in 2023, and will be targeting four in a row for the first time at international level in this game. Benjamin Šeško has scored five of Slovenia’s six goals in this UNL campaign with four of them coming before half-time, including in September’s H2H in Ljubljana.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Austria have conceded after half-time in only one of their last nine home games (W7, D1, L1).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]