MATTERSBURG v HARTBERG
Bundesliga
Sunday 28th July 2019
Kickoff: 1600hrs
Pick: Mattersburg AH-0.25
Bookmaker: Bet Victor
Odds: 1.76 (odds taken at 22:11 GMT, 27 July 2019)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.96 | 3.70 | 3.64 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on July 27, 2019 at 22:11 p.m.)
The Austrian Bundesliga opening round of matches continues on Sunday afternoon when Mattersburg play host to Hartberg as the betting tips continue at Pappelstadion.
Mattersburg Prediction – Can Mattersburg bring pre-season form?
Okay, Mattersburg lost their first pre-season match when they suffered a 3-2 loss at home to Kapfenberger, but they’ve made themselves hard to beat thereafter.
Four draws have since followed with stalemates against Szombathelyi, Osijek, Lafnitz and Holstein Kiel, along with an emphatic cup win.
The hosts smashed Pinkafeld 10-0 away from home in the domestic Austrian cup, so they’ll be upbeat about their chances of starting their season with a win on Sunday.
Although Mattersburg dropped into the Relegation Round at the second phase stage of last season, they almost qualified for the Europa League.
They finished in 2nd place behind Relegation group winners, Rapid Vienna, which saw them progress to the Europa League play-offs.
However, their dream of European football was denied by Rapid Vienna in a 2-0 loss.
Mattersburg will no doubt be hoping they can make the cut into the Championship Round group this time around which would enhance their chances of European football.
The hosts finished with an unbeaten run of 9 matches on home turf at their Pappelstadion at the end of last season.
Hartberg Prediction – Can Hartberg bounce back?
An encouraging pre-season which saw the visitors unbeaten in all 5 of their warm-up games was undone by a recent defeat in the domestic cup.
Wins against Kapfenberger and Hannover were backed up by draws with Pyunik, Lafnitz and Traiskirchen in 1-1, 0-0 and 2-2 draws.
However, a penalty shoot-out loss to non-league side Wiener Viktoria in the cup prior to this season opener with Mattersburg isn’t great preparation.
Hartberg narrowly avoided relegation down to the 2. Liga at the end of last season as they finished just 2 points ahead of relegated Wacker Innsbruck.
The visitors ensured their top flight status for this season thanks to a final day 3-1 home win against Admira.
If they’re to avoid a repeat of last season’s relegation battle they’ll need to improve upon their results away from home.
Hartberg suffered 6 defeats from their last 8 away matches of last season, so they’ll need to pick their game up on the road this time around.
Key-Facts – Mattersburg v Hartberg
- Mattersburg finished last season with a 9-match unbeaten sequence at home
- Mattersburg beat Hartberg 3-0 in their last encounter at Pappelstadion
- Hartberg suffered 6 defeats from their last 8 away matches of last season
Betting Tips Verdict
Mattersburg have made themselves hard to beat at home and should get off to a winning start against Hartberg here.
