Poland vs Austria Prediction: Ralf Rangnick’s men can bag first win
Austria were extremely unfortunate to come away from their opening game with France empty handed, after they wasted a couple of key chances, and then turned the ball into their own net to hand the 2018 world champions a 1-0 win. However, there is still time for them to qualify from this group, as they prepare to face Poland on Friday afternoon.
Poland were without Robert Lewandowski as they lost 2-1 to the Netherlands despite taking the lead, and with France still to play, they will be desperate to secure a result here. Below you can find my Poland vs Austria prediction.
Team News
The big news comes from the Poland camp as Lewandowski is expected to be fit to start against Austria, having sat out of the defeat to the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Michael Probierz may also welcome Karol Swiderski into the team after he performed well off the bench - and Brighton’s Jakub Moder is also pushing for a start.
If Austria can recover in time, expect Ralf Rangnick to name the same XI, after an impressive performance against France. If changes are needed, expect Marko Arnautovic, Patrick Wimmer and Alexander Prass to be called upon, as they were off the bench in that opening game.
Poland predicted XI: Szczęsny; Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior; Frankowski, Moder, Romanczuk, Zieliński, Zalewski; Urbański; Lewandowski
Austria predicted XI: Pentz; Posch, Danso, Wöber, Mwene; Seiwald, Laimer; Wimmer, Sabitzer, Baumgartner; Gregoritsch
Poland are the outsiders here, priced at 57/20 to win this game, while Austria can be backed at 97/100 to take three points. A draw is available at 51/20, over 2.5 goals is 9/10 and BTTS is 39/50.
Austria to win @ 97/100
I think we are getting a decent price on Austria to win this game, and I believe they will. Rangnick’s men were only just beaten by France, who handed them their second defeat in over 18 months. What the former Manchester United manager has built is an impressive squad, who know exactly how to implement his gameplan.
The high press is relentless, and he gets his side high up the pitch to win the ball back. They had more possession than France, and the same number of shots on target. They even limited Kylian Mbappe and Co to just a couple of efforts, with an unfortunate own goal costing them a point.
I think they will beat Poland comfortably, and then give the Dutch a really good game in the battle for second place. They could be the dark horses of this tournament.
Austria -2 @ 33/5
I think this is a massive price based on what we have seen so far. I’m not keen to single out an individual goalscorer for Austria because they press so well as a team, and can create chances for anybody on the pitch. Rangnick also likes to make his substitutes early to keep energy levels high, and so I’m backing them to win by three goals instead.
I don’t fancy Poland much this summer, and although they took the lead via a set piece vs the Netherlands, they had just 34% possession. I don’t know if they have the ability to beat this Austrian press and I think they could make several defensive errors. Unlike against France, I’m backing the likes of Michael Gregoritsch to take their chances. I’m expecting a big Austria win in matchday two.
Check out our other Soccer Betting Predictions here.
