SportsMall previews Sunday's Nations League clash between Austria and Norway, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
The first two League B Group 3 Sunday evening meeting, second place Austria Host leaders Norway In UEFA Nations League.
The Norwegians will arrive in Linz fresh from continuing their unbeaten start, largely thanks to a new all-time top goalscorer. Erling Holland; Meanwhile, their hosts smashed Kazakhstan into the last four.
Competition preview
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Having picked up just one point from two away matches in September – including a 2-1 loss to Norway – Austria will be under pressure to produce when Group 3 outsiders Kazakhstan visit them on Thursday.
Although Christoph Baumgartner Giving the Austrians an early lead, the win wasn't fully secured until two goals in three second-half minutes. Philip Lienhardt And Marcel Sabitzer – Present the result beyond doubt Matthias Cheadle Makes it 4-0.
Ralph RangnickThey are now level on points with Slovenia and both teams are in contention to join Norway in the automatic promotion hunt – with the group winners advancing straight to League A, while second place earns a play-off.
Austria, who were relegated last time out before making an impressive impact at Euro 2024, are aiming for an immediate return to Europe's top tier this season.
However, their final match before heading to next month's final pits them against opponents they have beaten just once in their previous four meetings this century – although that only victory came in the 2020 Nations League.
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Overcoming the disappointment of missing out on the Euros again, Norway's superstar striker Erling Holland returned to the international stage with a late winner over Austria in Oslo.
Haaland – who spent time in the Austrian Bundesliga before starting his journey to Manchester via Dortmund – ignored his long-term record on Thursday evening. Became his country's top international goalscorer.
The 24-year-old made it 34 after an hour, scoring his second of the game, each either side of a fellow forward's strike. Alexander Chorloth.
Although An ancient oratorHaving started their 2024-25 campaign with a disappointing goalless draw in Kazakhstan, back-to-back wins have now put them top of the table. Group 3 At the halfway stage with seven points on the board.
Norway may have waited a long time for a major finals appearance, but if they can make it three wins from three this weekend, Holland and co could soon be mixing it up with Europe's elite in League A.
Austria Nations League Format:
Austria Format (All Matches):
Norway Nations League Format:
Norway Format (All Matches):
Group messages
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Ralf Rangnick had to step up as captain this month when picking his back four David Alaba Still on the road to recovery after long layoffs Kevin Danzo And Maximilian Woeber are also not available.
Philip Lienhard and Gernot is the trainer Paired in central defense against Kazakhstan, but Michael Svoboda And Marco Friedel Closest contenders: The former earned his first cap on Thursday as a substitute; The latter is back in Austria's squad after more than two years.
After handing Freiburg forward Junior Adamu A rare opportunity to start in attack, a holder of record caps Marko Arnautovic Let's get to Rangnick's thinking this weekend.
There should be no doubt about the identity of Norway's main striker: Erling Holland has scored an average of 0.94 goals per game for his national team to date. Alexander Zorloth of Atletico Madrid and on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers Jorgen Strand Larsen Assist him in leading the line.
However, the visitors are once again without their inspirational captain, Martin Odegaard. The Arsenal midfielder is still sidelined with an ankle injury picked up during September's international break, while Holland's Manchester City team-mate Oscar Pop is also rejected.
Austria Probable Starting Lineup:
Bends; Posch, Svoboda, Lienhart, Pras; Seiwald, Laimer, Sabitzer; Schmidt, Baumgartner; Arnautovic
Norway's probable starting line-up:
Newland; Ajar, Ostigard, Hanse-Olsen, Wolff; Pedersen, Thoresby, Berge, Noosa; Chorloth, Holland
We say: Austria 2-2 Norway
It was a close match when the teams met in September, with Norway grabbing the win in the 80th minute.
In this case, Ralf Rangnick's hard-working Austria side should emerge with at least a draw and a top-two finish next month.
Please click here for data analysis of most probable results, scores and more for this match.
