AUSTRIA and Poland are looking to bounce back from opening defeats in Group D at Euro 2024 but can take plenty of heart from their performances against big guns France and the Netherlands.
The Dutch were stunned when a Polish side without star strikers Robert Lewandowksi and Arkadiuz Milik took the lead last Sunday as back-up hitman Adam Buska nodded home.
But they couldn't hold on and the Netherlands managed to turn things around, with Wout Weghorst coming off the bench to grab the winner just seven minutes from time.
Austria gave a fancied French side a run for their money in the other group game and Christoph Baumgartner blew a great chance to fire them in front.
That miss was punished as an own goal from Max Wober saw the French get their noses in front and Ralf Rangnick's men couldn't muster a response.
Nobody would have begrudged them a leveller though and boss Rangnick will be confident of getting three points on the board against Poland ahead of what looks like being a decisive game with the Dutch.
How the bookies view it: Austrians in Pole position
Despite drawing a blank against the French, Betfred make Austria the favourites here at evens, which looks decent value. The Poles are 11/4 shots and the draw pays 5/2.
Head to head: The Poles are on a roll
Poland have been a bogey team for Austria in the last 30 years, going five games unbeaten since a 4-3 friendly loss in 1994. Three of those games have ended in Polish victories but it was a o-0 draw when these sides last faced off in a Euro qualifier five years ago.
Last five H2H duels:
- 09/09/2019 (EURO Qualifiers) – Poland 0-0 Austria
- 21/03/2019 (EURO Qualifiers) – Austria 0-1 Poland
- 12/06/2008 (EURO) – Austria 1-1 Poland
- 03/09/2005 (World Cup Qualifiers) – Poland 3-2 Austria
- 09/10/2004 (World Cup Qualifiers) – Austria 1-3 Poland
Players to watch: Laimer a threat from midfield
Bayern Munich's Konrad Laimer got forward a lot from midfield against France and could provide a goal threat here. Two of his three goals this term have come for Austria so that shows he plays further forward than at a club level. He's 9/2 for anytime scorer at Betfred but it might be better waiting until the bookies price up a market for shots on target.
Backing midfielder Piotr Zielinski for a shot on goal paid off for me at 13/8 in Poland's defeat by the Dutch. The Napoli star will be a goal threat again and is 4/1 for anytime scorer.
Probable line-ups
Poland will be hoping talisman Robert Lewandowski shakes off his thigh injury to feature but with such a tight turnaround it would be a risk to start him. Karol Swiderski could start after impressing off the bench in the opener.
Given the Austrians performed pretty well against France, Rangnick may be tempted to field the same side. But Marko Arnautovic will be hoping to start after coming off the bench in the opener.
Poland: Szczesny, Salamon, Bednarek, Kiwior, Zielinski, Romanczuk, Frankowski, Swiderski, Zalewski, Buksa, Urbanski.
Austria: Pentz, Wober, Danso, Posch, Mwene, Seiwald, Sabitzer, Grillitsch, Baumgartner, Laimer, Gregoritsch.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams need to go for a win after losing their opener so it should be a decent match. Backing over 2.5 goals pays 10/11 and if you combine that with BTTS it boosts the odds to 11/10.
Austria's high pressing tactics put the more at risk of cards and they picked up five yellows in the loss to France. With Poland not having a single player booked in their loss to the Dutch it could pay to back Rangnick's men for most cards. although that market hasn't been priced up yet.
There are bets available on corners and over 9.5 flag kicks pays 5/6, which stands a chance with both teams chasing a win.
The Austrians scored pretty freely in their warm-up games and smashed six past Turkey a few weeks ago. They are 2/1 to score in each half and that might be worth a punt given the Poles conceded in both halves against the Netherlands.
This Euro 2024 match between Poland and Austria will be played on Jun 21, 2024 and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Poland vs Austria prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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