Northern Ireland VS Austria Match Prediction
2018-11-18
17:00:00
Northern Ireland
VS
Austria
Our Prediction Tip
Austria will win this match.
2018-11-1817:00:00 Austria will win this match.
Austria have won four of their ten matches against Northern Ireland following last month's home win, with three defeats and three draws. The game last month was their first in 13 years and was settled by Marko Arnautovic’s second-half strike - the only goal of the game.
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A miserable UEFA Nations League campaign for Northern Ireland comes to an end when they host Austria in the final group game.
Austria beat them in the reverse fixture thanks to Marko Arnautovic’s goal so there is nothing riding on this game at all except a chance to restore some pride for the hosts.
Their toothless attack suggests they may not be able to salvage even that, however – the chances they wasted against Republic of Ireland making it three games without a goal now.
Austria have hardly been prolific either, with one goal in their three UEFA Nations League but it is ominous for Northern Ireland that the one goal came against them, and Austria have only conceded once so far too.
The only thing that might swing things in Northern Ireland’s favour would be if Austria opted to rest players with second place in the group guaranteed.
David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic sat out of their most recent friendly and with nothing riding on this game it is effectively a friendly again too.
Austria have some strength in depth, however – as evident from their good run of form prior to losing to Bosnia – whereas Northern Ireland look light on quality beyond their starting XI.
Kyle Lafferty’s return is a bonus but he is without a goal for two years, while Conor Washington and Will Grigg are absent.
Northern Ireland have lacked the goals and the form so it is hard to back anything but an Austria win for this one.
Austria are favourites to beat out-of-form Northern Ireland and can be backed at 11/10 with Bet365, Ladbrokes and 10Bet.
Northern Ireland’s lack of goals, combined with Austria’s strong defensive record, makes it hard to back the hosts. Austria to win to nil is 12/5 with Bet365 while an Austrian clean sheet is 13/8.
There have only been two goals in Austria’s three UEFA Nations League matches so far, and under 2.5 goals in Belfast returns 4/5 with Bet365.
Marko Arnautovic was the match winner last time they met, and he is 13/8 to score at any time with Betway.
Northern Ireland are lacking goals and form and Austria’s tight defence can keep the hosts at bay in Belfast.
Kyle Lafferty returned off the bench in the goalless draw with Republic of Ireland and could start against Austria, as could Jamie Ward – who was also a second-half substitute. Shane Ferguson was unused but could slot in on the wing for Gavin Whyte. Will Grigg and Conor Washington are both out, the former injured and the latter lacking match fitness. Oliver Norwood is suspended.
Kyle Lafferty – Back in the Northern Ireland set-up and looking to end a two-year goal drought to add to the 20 goals in 69 appearances he has to his name.
Steven Davis – Scored in Northern Ireland’s most recent win, against Israel, but also offers a vast amount of experience in the middle as he prepares for his 107th cap.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell – While Northern Ireland lack goals at the other end, the Leeds keeper is going to have to be on top form guarding the other net.
Northern Ireland have won just twice in eight games in 2018, the most recent of which was the 3-0 victory against Israel in September – Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas and Gavin Whyte scoring the goals. The Northern Irish lost 1-0 to Austria and 2-0 to Bosnia last month to ensure they finished the last in their UEFA Nations League group before a stalemate with Republic of Ireland last time out in a friendly.
Marko Arnautovic is fit again up front and David Alaba is back in defence after both star men missed the friendly with Denmark last month. Defender Sebastian Prodl is the most experienced players missing from the squad selected for that friendly but Marc Janko – who initially missed selection – stepped off the bench in the goalless draw with Bosnia. Xaver Schlager replaced Florian Kainz at half-time in that game, and could start against Northern Ireland. Konrad Laimer is still awaiting his international debut.
Marko Arnautovic – Scored the winner at home to Northern Ireland and has 20 goals in 76 appearances for Austria in total.
David Alaba – The Bayern wing-back’s defensive strengths are well known, but he has also scored 13 times in 66 internationals.
Alessandro Schopf – Scored a couple of important goals in the summer to stake his claim for the midfield berth more regularly.
Austria have won one, lost one and drawn one of their three UEFA Nations League matches so far, with a 2-0 friendly win against Sweden and a defeat by the same score in a friendly with Denmark interspersed with those results. An own goal and David Alaba’s strike got the ball rolling in the former in September but Austria then lost 1-0 to Bosnia. Last month, Marko Arnautovic scored the only goal to beat Northern Ireland but the friendly defeat to Denmark followed. Last time out, meanwhile, a goalless draw with Bosnia ensured the visitors will top the group, with Austria second and Northern Ireland third – no matter how this game finishes.
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