This match is between the two best teams in Group D, at least on paper, and so whoever comes out on top here lays down a real marker to the rest. Austria are excellent at home but we all know Wales can cause a shock.
As mentioned above, Austria are incredibly good at home and have won their last eight home qualifiers – including European Champions and World Cup. Their last competitive home defeat was over four years ago to Germany at the start of the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign.
Additionally, they have not conceded in their last four qualifying home matches. Having said that it must be taken into account that they were playing Lichtenstein, Moldova, Russia and Montenegro.
After a shambolic Euro 2016, where many expected them to do well, Austria got their World Cup 2018 qualification campaign off to a good start by winning away in Georgia – a tough fixture for most teams.
Many football associations would have dispensed with their coach after such a bad tournament but Austria stuck with Marcel Koller after his success in qualification. Although it may not have looked like it at the Euros, the Austrians are close to becoming one of the top sides in Europe.
Wales are looking to reach their second successive tournament for the first time in their history and, with confidence boosted after going all the way to the semi-finals at Euro 2016, they will have full belief in their ability to reach Russia in two years time.
Their qualification campaign for the World Cup got off to a perfect start with a 4-0 thrashing of Moldova. However, this match against fellow group favourites Austria will be a completely different test.
As previously mentioned, the Austrian’s have an excellent home record in qualification and Wales will find it incredibly tough – especially without injured midfielder Aaron Ramsey. We saw in the semi-final of the Euros (when Ramsey was missing) just how important the Arsenal midfielder is to Chris Coleman’s side.
Having said all that, Wales seem to thrive on being the underdogs and they could pull off an upset here.
If you are Welsh I would not blame you for being optimistic on your country’s behalf for this match against Austria. However, Koller’s side are just too good at home for Wales to have a proper chance of coming away with three points – a draw would be an excellent result for the visitors.
On the other side of the coin, I am not sure Austria’s attack is good enough to break down that strong Welsh defence. With all of the above in mind, the draw looks a good bet here at 9/4 – a result which would not be disastrous for either side and they would more than likely snap your hand off if you offered it to them before the match.
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