Predictions Nations League - Austria vs Kazakhstan

Nations League - Austria vs Kazakhstan
Match Time: 11-10-2024 01:45 Friday (GMT+7)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Faced with two away fixtures to kick off their campaign, Austria first claimed a point in neighbouring Slovenia then travelled to Norway on the Nations League's second matchday.

Ralf Rangnick's side had lost just three times in 14 competitive games upon arriving in Oslo; however, despite Marcel Sabitzer hauling them level after conceding an early goal, they ultimately left empty-handed following Erling Haaland's late winner.

Although they impressed at Euro 2024, Austria had previously been demoted from League A, and an instant return to Europe's top tier was the target for a talented squad.

Having finished their last Nations League campaign with a run of one point from five games, they last tasted success in the competition back in June 2022, beating Croatia 3-0 on that occasion.

Das Team have now made a slow start this year, so making the most of home advantage during this month's double-header could help turn things around.

After hosting Kazakhstan - who they last met in World Cup qualifying 12 years ago - Austria must try to reverse September's result against an ambitious Norway side that boasts plenty of firepower.

In four previous meetings - which all took place across two years, just over a decade ago - Kazakhstan have never got the better of Thursday's hosts, against whom they are yet to score a single goal.

Following promotion from the third tier in 2022, the Hawks played their first match in League B of the Nations League last month, when they hosted Norway and picked up a point by holding out for a goalless draw.

That continued a clear upward trend, after posting six wins from 10 in European Championship qualifying before missing out in the playoffs, where they were well beaten by Greece.

Their potential route to Euro 2024 was secured by winning promotion from League C - with two wins over Slovakia helping the Kazakhs to top their group with 13 points - but they come into these October internationals on the back of a comprehensive defeat last time out.

Stanislav Cherchesov's side were beaten 3-0 by Slovenia in Ljubljana, with RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko bagging a hat-trick to leave Kazakhstan on one point from two games so far. As things stand, they sit fourth in the table and are in danger of automatic demotion.

Prediction:  Austria 3-0 Kazakhstan