UEFA Nations League

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Nations League | League B

Sep 7, 2020 at 7.45pm UK

Wörthersee Stadion

Austria
2 - 3
Romania

Baumgartner (17'), Onisiwo (81')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Alibec (3'), Grigore (51'), Maxim (70')
Grigore (47'), Burca (74'), Stanciu (87')

Preview: Austria vs. Romania - prediction, team news, lineups

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter

Published: September 5 2020 | 12:00

Last updated: June 5 2024 | 13:45

Sports Mole previews Monday's UEFA Nations League clash between Austria and Romania, including team news and predicted lineups.

Austria and Romania face off at the Worthersee Stadion on Monday in the second round of UEFA Nations League Group B1 fixtures.

The home side beat Norway 2-1 in their opening match, while Romania were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Northern Ireland.

Match preview

If not for countless top-class saves from Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Romania would have been home and dry against Northern Ireland long before Gavin Whyte's late equaliser.

It was a crushing blow for Mirel Radoi in his first game since stepping up from the Under-21s, with his side unable to add to George Puscas's first-half opener.

That was despite playing more than half the match with a one-man advantage after Josh Magennis was harshly dismissed for two questionable yellow cards.

Romania are now winless in four matches, but they still have a chance of reaching next year's rearranged Euro 2020 finals, with Iceland their opponents in the qualifying playoffs.

Before that huge tie, the Tricolours will be out to pick up three points against an Austria side in decent form.

Austria coach Franco Foda pictured on June 10, 2018 © Reuters

Franco Foda's men beat Norway 2-1 in Oslo on Friday through Michael Gregoritsch and Marcel Sabitzer goals, rendering Erling Braut Haaland's strike nothing more than a consolation.

Austria have won seven of their last nine matches, although they did suffer a surprise 1-0 loss to Latvia during that run.

With their place in the European Championship finals already assured, Foda's charges will now be looking to cement top spot in their Nations League group and earn promotion.

Austria are unbeaten in the last four encounters between the sides, the last two of those - a friendly in 2012 and a World Cup qualifier in 2009 - finishing all square.

However, Das Team have won just two of the 10 fixtures overall between the sides, with Romania boasting the better record.

Austria Nations League form: W
Austria form (all competitions): DWWWLD

Romania Nations League form: D
Romania form (all competitions): WWDLLD

Team News

Reading's George Puscas celebrates scoring their second goal against Cardiff on August 18, 2019 © Reuters

Puscas was one of five players to keep his place in the Romania side between the 5-0 loss to Spain and 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland.

Radoi may elect to freshen things up again, but momentum is key at this point and it may be better to stick with a similar XI.

Holding midfielder Alexandru Cretu came on for Ianis Hagi early in the second half against Northern Ireland and may be given the nod to start this one.

As for Austria, they lost Martin Hinteregger to injury during the first half of their win over Denmark, meaning that Aleksandar Dragovic should come into the side.

Adrian Grbic and Julian Baumgartlinger are also pushing for recalls after being introduced from the bench in Oslo.

After netting just his second international goal last time out, Gregoritsch is expected to lead the line for the Austrians.

Austria possible starting lineup:
Schlager; Lainer, Posch, Dragovic, Ulmer; Ilsanker, Schlager; Onisiwo, Sabitzer, Baumgartner; Gregoritsch

Romania possible starting lineup:
Tatarusanu; Hanca, Chiriches, Tosca, Bancu; Stanciu, Cicaldau, Maxim; Hagi; Puscas, Alibec

SM words green background

We say: Austria 1-0 Romania

Romania, who have yet to lose a Nations League match, struggled to put away their chances against Northern Ireland and were made to pay. A similar display on Monday and there will only be one outcome, with Austria netting in eight of their last 10 matches.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.

Written by
Daniel Lewis

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Austria win with a probability of 58.82%. A draw had a probability of 22.2% and a win for Romania had a probability of 18.96%.

The most likely scoreline for an Austria win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.92%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (10.27%) and 2-1 (9.92%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (10.54%), while for a Romania win it was 0-1 (5.61%). The actual scoreline of 2-3 was predicted with a 1.5% likelihood.