Austria and Norway, the top two teams in UEFA Nations League’s League B Group 3, face off on Sunday evening in Linz. Both teams will be eager to solidify their promotion chances, with Norway leading the group and Austria hot on their heels.
Match Preview:
Austria entered Thursday’s game under pressure after collecting just one point from two away games in September, including a narrow 2-1 loss to Norway. They responded convincingly by thrashing Kazakhstan 4-0, with goals from Christoph Baumgartner, Philipp Lienhart, Marcel Sabitzer, and Matthias Seidl.
Currently level on points with Slovenia, Austria is determined to push for promotion back to League A after being relegated last time around. Their final group-stage games will be crucial, and Sunday’s clash against Norway is pivotal. Austria has a mixed history against Norway, beating them only once in four meetings this century, though that victory came in the 2020 Nations League.
Norway, led by Erling Haaland, is in fine form. After missing out on Euro 2024, Haaland returned to international action by scoring the winning goal against Austria in their September encounter and has since become Norway’s all-time top scorer with 34 goals. His latest two-goal performance in Norway’s 3-0 win over Slovenia showcased his world-class ability.
Stale Solbakken’s team is unbeaten in the Nations League so far, with seven points from three matches. Norway started the campaign with a goalless draw against Kazakhstan but followed it with back-to-back wins. If they can secure another victory in Austria, Norway could take a big step towards promotion to League A.
Team News:
Austria:
Austria will be missing some key defensive players. Captain David Alaba is still out due to injury, and Kevin Danso and Maximilian Wober are also unavailable. Ralf Rangnick fielded Philipp Lienhart and Gernot Trauner in central defense against Kazakhstan, and while Michael Svoboda and Marco Friedl are alternatives, the current pair may continue. Veteran forward Marko Arnautovic could start after Freiburg’s Junior Adamu was given a rare start last time out.
Possible Austria starting lineup:
Pentz; Posch, Svoboda, Lienhart, Prass; Seiwald, Laimer, Sabitzer; Schmid, Baumgartner; Arnautovic
Norway:
Norway will once again look to Erling Haaland, who averages 0.94 goals per game for his country. He is likely to be partnered by Alexander Sorloth, while Jorgen Strand Larsen is another attacking option. Norway will be without key midfielder Martin Odegaard, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, and Haaland’s Manchester City teammate Oscar Bobb is also unavailable.
Possible Norway starting lineup:
Nyland; Ajer, Ostigard, Hanche-Olsen, Wolfe; Pedersen, Thorsby, Berge, Nusa; Sorloth, Haaland
Prediction:
The previous meeting between these two teams in September was a closely contested affair, with Norway edging out Austria 2-1 thanks to an 80th-minute winner. With Austria having home advantage this time, and both teams in solid form, this match could end in a draw, leaving the promotion race wide open.
Prediction: Austria 1-1 Norway
