Norway Vs Austria
Friday 4 August 2020 – 19:45 Kick-Off
UEFA Nations League – League B, Group 1
Pick: Draw
Odds: 23/10
Bookmaker: Unibet
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 2 September 2020)
Preview: Action from League B of the UEFA Nations League on Friday, as Norway seek to extend a nine-game unbeaten streak when they entertain an Austria side boasting only one loss in their past eight internationals. It should be competitive inside the Ulleval Stadion, Oslo.
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The Norwegians are on the up, figuratively and literally. Their promotion from League C, after topping a group ahead of Bulgaria, Cyprus and Slovenia in which they lost only one of six games (W4 D1 L1), has earned them a spot in League B alongside Austria, Northern Ireland and Romania. It is the former who they come face to face with first, with Austria undoubtedly holding the upper hand.
Star forward Erling Haaland was barely a few months old the last time these two nations met in November 2002, which Norway won to secure their first victory over the Austrians at the sixth attempt (W1 L5). The Borussia Dortmund man, at only 20 years of age, is one of a handful of players, with Martin Odegaard and Sander Berge others, in their early-to-mid-twenties keen to usher in a new era for the national side.
This more youthful complexion appears to be bearing fruit. As despite failing to qualify for the Euro 2020 finals, there were ample positives to be taken from a campaign in which they lost just one of ten qualifiers (W4 D5 L1) – holding Spain to a draw in Oslo arguably the highlight. Under the wealth of experience that Lars Lagerback has to offer as manager, Norway are currently nine unbeaten (W4 D5).
Austria Preview – Das Team suddenly light on goals?
It is as you were for Austria who are back for another crack at League B, two years after delivering a surprisingly underwhelming performance in Group C alongside Bosnia and Northern Ireland. As the highest ranked nation, many expected them to saunter through proceedings. They finished it with only two wins from four (W2 D1 L1) with both coming via one-goal margin over an Northern Ireland side that failed to accrue any points.
The football did improve in the qualifying campaign which followed, for the 2020 European Championships, as head coach Franco Foda inspired the Austrians to a second place finish in Group G and seal qualification for a tournament that has since been put on hold. In a tricky group comprising Poland, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Israel and Latvia, Austria won six of ten qualifiers (W6 D1 L3).
Friday is a first run out since losing the final Euro 2020 qualifier in Latvia. Prior to that, Austria had turned their fortunes right around with a seven game unbeaten run, six of which were victories. However, there has to be concerns as to where the goals are going to come from. They only managed two in four matches in the last Nations League, and of those in the squad, defender David Alaba is the only player into double figures (14).
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Norway Vs Austria Betting Advice
We should probably discount the head-to-head record between the sides, as while Austria clearly boss it with five wins to one, there hasn’t been a competitive meeting since 2002. Neither come into Friday’s contest with shabby recent form, though: Norway unbeaten in their last nine internationals (W4 D5) while Austria have lost once in eight (W6 D1 L1).
Chelsea Vs Bayern Munich – Key Facts
- Lars Lagerback has inspired Norway to a nine match unbeaten stretch of form, with their last defeat dating back to March 2019 when losing a Euro 2020 Qualifier 2-1 in Spain.
- One loss in eight for Austria (W6 D1 L1); a 1-0 defeat in Latvia which only came about in their final Euro 2020 Qualifier when qualification as runners-up was already assured.
- The nations are meeting for the seventh time and first since 2002, when Norway halted a five-game losing sequence by winning a friendly 1-0 in Austria.
During Euro 2020 Qualifying, both teams put together strong campaigns that were built on solid defensive foundations. Norway rounded theirs off by restricting their final seven opponents, which included low-scoring draws with Spain and Sweden, to no more than one goal. Austria, meanwhile, conceded more than one goal in just one of ten qualifiers. So this could be a tight affair. 1-1 Draw.
Best Betting Odds – Norway Vs Austria
Norway – 6/4 (PaddyPower)
Draw – 23/10 (Unibet)
Austria – 9/5 (Betway)
