Austria vs Wales; FIFA World Cup European Qualifying Group D
Austria vs Wales. FIFA World Cup European Qualifying Group D.
Ernst-Happel-Stadion.
Austria v Wales preview: Chris Coleman's side face tough-looking trip to Vienna
Thursday 6 October 2016 18:51, UK
Wales will look to build on the good start they have made to their World Cup qualifying campaign when they take on Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna on Thursday night.
Austria, under the guidance of new coach Marcel Koller, began their road to Russia 2018 with a 2-1 win in Georgia in their opening Group D fixture.
Wales also impressed in their first qualifier by maintaining their Euro 2016 momentum with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Moldova.
Live International Football: FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale scored two and made one as Chris Coleman's side took early ownership of the group summit, and Leicester City midfielder Andy King feels the manner of the win underlined the squad's growing maturity.
"It was a potential banana skin game for us," King said.
"I thought the lads handled it really well, having had the highs in the summer and then almost be back to square one in terms of qualifying and going again for a major tournament.
"We've played in a lot of big games now. The tournament has obviously given us confidence and shown we can stand up against the best teams.
"But we also need to stay focused against the smaller teams, and that's what we did in the last game."
King is poised to win his 37th cap in the Austrian capital with Arsenal playmaker Aaron Ramsey again sidelined by injury.
The 27-year-old believes he has benefited from being part of Leicester's Champions League campaign this season.
"The more games you can play against European players and their style of play the better," King said.
"Playing in the Champions League will help me on the international stage and vice-versa.
"It's a massive blow to be without Aaron. His loss would weaken any team and we are no different from that.
"But we've got a squad ethic here and we're going to need that over the 10 games of the campaign."
Injury news
Coleman is still without Ramsey, a key midfielder, for the trip to Vienna, with the player expected to have recovered from the hamstring tear he sustained against Liverpool on the opening day of the season in the next 10 days.
Austria, meanwhile, are without the injured Martin Harnik, the Hannover 96 striker who has scored 14 international goals. Sturm Graz's Deni Alar has taken his place in the squad.
Stats
Wales last played Austria in February 2013, winning 2-1 with goals from Bale and Sam Vokes. This was Coleman's second win as Wales manager.
Austria have never lost at home to Wales in four previous games (W3 D1).
The only time Wales have avoided defeat in Austria was in April 1992, as Coleman equalised for the Dragons in a 1-1 draw.
Austria have won each of their last six qualification matches.
Wales have won five of their last seven internationals (L2).
Austria haven't lost a home qualification game since September 2012 to Germany (W8 D1).
Since September 2014, Bale has been directly involved in over half of Wales' goals (15 of 28, 12 goals and three assists).
Indeed, seven of Wales' last 10 qualifying goals have been scored by Bale.
Charlie's prediction
This is a really tough game for Wales. They need to go again as a team. Every time I switch on the box it seems to be Gareth Bale, Gareth Bale, Gareth Bale but I remember a lot of the Welsh players doing really well at the Euros.
Austria are a decent team but can be quite frustrating in how defensive they are. I think they could be dragged down by focusing on Bale and stopping him, which would be a negative thing for a home side that should be going out to win the game.
Ashley Williams is in great form and Wales are becoming tougher and tougher to break down, so I can't see many goals in this game, especially if Austria are wary of getting caught on the break by Bale.
Charlie predicts: 0-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Wales are 13/5 outsiders with Sky Bet with Austria 5/4 for the victory, while the draw is considered a 21/10 chance.
However, it is Bale who heads the first goalscorer betting at 4/1, with Marc Janko considered the hosts' main threat at 9/2 to net first.
Thursday night's clash is deemed a vital one in the Group D outright betting, with Coleman's men 7/4 favourites to secure top spot followed by their hosts at 2/1.
