Austria welcome Scotland to Ernst-Happel Stadion, Vienna, in an international friendly clash.
Austria come into this match off the back of losing their Play-Off semi-final tie against Wales which ended their bid to qualify for 2022 FIFA World Cup, whilst Scotland drew 1-1 against Poland in a fundraising friendly for Ukraine.
Team News
Louis Schaub is ruled out for Austria after testing positive for Coronavirus.
Nicolas Seiwald meanwhile has withdrawn from the squad for unspecified reasons.
Scotland could welcome Andrew Robertson (illness) and Lyndon Dykes (hamstring) back into contention, after the pair missed last Thursday’s 1-1 friendly draw against Poland.
Steve Clarke otherwise has no fresh injury concerns to report as Zander Clark, Liam Kelly, Jack Hendry, Craig Halkett, Lewis Ferguson and Ross Stewart all look for starts, having failed to make a substitute appearance against Poland.
Stat Attack
- Austria have won just five of 13 previous friendly meetings against Scotland (W5, D4, L4).
- Scotland are unbeaten in five of eight previous friendlies played away against Austria (W3, D2, L3).
- Austria have lost each of their last two home games against Scotland by 1-0 results in May 2007 and September 2021 respectively in all competitions.
- Marko Arnautovic has scored three goals in his last two home appearances for Austria.
- Steve Clarke’s Scotland have scored four goals without conceding in their last three away matches (W3).
Prediction
Having missed out on a Play-Off Final spot in 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Austria now need to put that defeat behind them because they were simply outclassed by Wales despite applying strong pressure throughout, but two defensive mistakes simply proved the difference.
Scotland meanwhile surprisingly outplayed Poland with a disciplined yet controlled display which nearly secured them a clinical win, amidst several wasted chances until a late defensive error cost them a clean sheet and conceded a goal-scoring penalty.
I am therefore expecting both teams to come out fighting for control of this match early on but with only a small home crowd set to attend, it will be interesting to see how the lack of crowd atmosphere affects the game with more Scotland fans likely in attendance than home crowds.
This game however represents an opportunity for Austria to start winning back home support if they play like they did in their two home matches in November, yet Scotland won’t make this an easy match.
Prediction: Austria 1-1 Scotland
Result: Austria 2-2 Scotland
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