Wales vs Austria Predictions and Betting Tips
Wales and Austria would be keen on taking a step closer to Qatar 202 as both sides square off in the playoffs semifinals in Cardiff this Thursday.
Austria have a slight lead on the head-to-head side of things with five wins in 10 meetings while their opponents have only managed three victories.
Highly-anticipated encounter on the cards
Having already secured a spot in the playoffs due to their performance in the UEFA Nations League, Wales was always bound for a spot in the playoffs taking into account that they were drawn in the same group as Belgium. However, their performance in the group was quite something as they edged the Czech Republic to be the best of the rest in the group. Although summer's European championship ended with a 4-0 humbling at the hands of Denmark in the last 16, the Dragons have since posted an incredible run of seven games unbeaten in all competitions. Would they consolidate this run with a place in the playoff finals to face either Ukraine or Scotland?
The other semifinals in path A have been postponed due to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, however, this would be far from the minds of Franco Foda's charges as they eye a place in the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998. Inconsistency has plagued this Austrian side and this was pretty evident in their group stage run-in having managed a 4th paced finish in Group F. Their performance in the UEFA Nations League was enough for them to book a spot in the playoffs and given that they've managed two wins in as many matches heading into this game, they surely wouldn't be pushovers.
Wales vs Austria Team News
Wales possible starting XI:
Hennessey; Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Roberts, Ampadu, Allen, N. Williams; Ramsey; James, Bale
Austria possible starting lineup:
Bachmann; Trimmel, Dragovic, Hinteregger, Alaba; Laimer, Grillitsch; Schaub, Sabitzer, Baumgartner; Arnautovic
Wales vs Austria Prediction: 2-1
Wales are unbeaten in their last 16 home games and given that they still haven't played in a World Cup finals, there's more than enough incentive to stretch this run to 17 matches.
