WSG Tirol vs Rapid Vienna
26 May 1600hrs
Football – Austria – Bundesliga
Pick WSG Tirol
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 11/5 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 19 May
A place in the Europa Conference League is up for grabs as WSG Tirol welcome Rapid Vienna on Thursday, with a return leg to come in the Austrian capital on Sunday.
Table of Contents
WSG Tirol – Can Tirol continue their impressive home form and make it five straight wins?
Despite finishing ninth in the regular season, WSG Tirol are in a two-legged playoff to compete in Europe next season. It would be a remarkable story for one of the smaller clubs in the Austrian Bundesliga who have never played in a continental competition. Thomas Silberberger’s men are on a really good run of form which has seen them surprise many, culminating with Monday’s win at home to LASK – which was essentially the elimination game that sees them face Rapid Vienna.
Goals from Giacomo Vrioni and Thomas Sabitzer gave Tirol a 2-1 victory and a fourth straight win at home. It’s made even more impressive considering they are playing their home games at the Tivoli Stadium with their own home ground under redevelopment.
Rapid Vienna Preview – Will Rapid halt their disappointing run and get a lead to take into the second leg?
Contesting a playoff for a spot in the Europa Conference League is not the sort of end of the season that Rapid Vienna would be hoping for. A second place finish last campaign, which seen them reach the the Champions League qualifiers was the standard that Rapid set, but they have been unable to get anywhere close to that this time around.
Ferdinand Feldhofer, formerly of Wolfsberger, took over from Didi Kuhbauer following a really poor start to the season which seen them drop out the Champions League, experience an indifferent start to their Europa League group campaign and fall well behind in the Bundesliga.
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Recent form hardly inspires huge confidence that Rapid will avoid the disappointment and embarrassment of missing out of European football altogether. They’ve not won any of their last six games – taking just three points from a possible 18. Their last away win was back on the 13th of March and they have managed only two victories in their last nine away games.
Marco Grull has had a decent first season at the club all things considered. Signed from Ried last summer he is the top scorer on eight goals, and has also made his debut for the Austrian national team.
WSG Tirol vs Rapid Vienna Betting Advice
It really is a clash of contrasting fortunes this one. Tirol are the romantic story and one which the Europa Conference League is all about – the opportunity for smaller clubs to play European football. Rapid Vienna, on the other hand, would have harboured more lofty ambitious hopes of a possible title challenge. If not a place in the top two and guaranteeing them a shot at a more prestigious European competition.
The outcome will be decided after the second leg on Sunday but it is Rapid who hold the upper hand over Tirol having won the last four meetings, including both clashes this season.
Key Facts – WSG Tirol vs Rapid Vienna Betting Tip
- Tirol are on a strong run of form which has seen them lost just two of their last 10 in the league
- Rapid Vienna’s last away win came back on the 13th of March (three defeats and a draw since)
- Rapid are looking for a fifth straight win in this fixture
I am more inclined to take recent form into account as opposed to the head to head record. Tirol are on a roll, are strong at home and have proven with wins over LASK that they can upset the bigger clubs. Back them to take a lead with them into the second leg.
Best Betting Odds for WSG Tirol vs Rapid Vienna