Group 1 leaders Croatia face Austria in their final group match in Vienna on Sunday as they look to secure the top spot. Our sportsbook offers the best markets and bonuses for the Nations League.
Let’s check the latest UEFA Nations League picks, stats, injury reports and UEFA Nations League odds for Austria vs Croatia. We’ve plenty of UEFA Nations League predictions for you to consider.
Austria: Going Back to League B
After opening the 2022-23 tournament with an eye-catching 3-0 success over Croatia, Austria took just one point from the next 12 on offer. With no World Cup to prepare for, Das Team can harness all of their competitive energy into their Nations League survival bid. Still, the expected defeat to France makes them heavy favorites to get relegated to League B.
Just one win in their previous seven games does not make for positive reading for Das Team before hosting in-form Croatia on Sunday. Ralf Rangnick’s troops were undone by France in the second half with goals from PSG’s superstar Kylian Mbappe and Atletico Madrid’s Olivier Giroud. However, their struggles in front of goals are their biggest issue. They failed to find the back of the net in their previous two defeats to France and Denmark and conceded seven goals in their last four Nations League games, which is not a good sign for Sunday’s home game.
The international break will see the fruits of the Nations League group levels, which means promotions, relegations, and development to subsequent summer finals will be secured over the following days. Not only must Austria beat Croatia, but they need Denmark to pull off the upset and beat France not to get relegated, so the atmosphere in the dressing room is not the best. That’s why, if you’re betting online, make sure you’re fading the hosts.
Croatia: Superb Campaign
Zlatko Dalic’s men have lost just one of their last 14 matches across all competitions since their last-16 elimination at the continental championships. Dalic is preparing to lead his side into World Cup 2022 Group F alongside Belgium, Canada and Morocco.
The 2-1 victory against Denmark was impressive. They now have 10 points, one ahead of Denmark, who earned nine points. They will book a place in the final four if they can collect three points against Austria and could finish in the top spot even with a defeat if France doesn’t lose to Denmark.
Southampton’s new boy Duje Caleta-Car has failed to make the squad amid his lack of Premier League action, while fellow defender Sime Vrsaljko announced his retirement from international duty at the end of August. Nevertheless, they have an outstanding team with Tottenham’s Ivan Perisic, Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric and Atalanta’s Mario Pasalic leading the attacking line, with Real Madrid’s Luka Modric being the brain in the midfield. Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa scored his first international goal against Denmark on Thursday.
Despite conceding for the first time in three games, Dalic was thrilled with his defensive line, declaring that he possesses five or six world-class stoppers. Croatia is one of the most consistent teams in Europe, and we will continue to include them in our soccer picks and parlays.
Austria vs Croatia Head-to-Head
Croatia has been one of the most formidable teams in Europe over the last year, remarkably suffering only one defeat in 14 matches since being knocked out of Euro 2020. They won nine games in the process, fuelling hopes of a first-ever Nations League finals appearance. Austria’s five winless games from their last seven UNL home matches certainly don’t inspire confidence ahead of a must-win game. Rangnick’s side has beaten Croatia just once in six previous mutual encounters. Austria comes into this game with two consecutive losses but hasn’t lost three successive matches since a run of five straight defeats between November 2010 and June 2011.
Austria vs Croatia Match Information
- Game: Austria (1-1-3) vs Croatia (3-1-1)
- Location: Ernst Happel Stadion (Vienna, Austria)
- Day/Time: Sunday, Sept. 25, 2:45 p.m. ET
- Austria vs Croatia Live stream: fubo.tv
Austria vs Croatia Betting Lines
Team | Handicap | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
Austria | pk Ev | +190 | 2½ +110o | 1½ +190o
1½ -240u |
Croatia | pk Ev | +155 | 2½ -140u | 1½ +160o
1½ -200u |
Draw |
+225
|
Austria vs Croatia Prediction
Despite playing on the road, the visitors enter this clash as slight favorites at +155 on the three-way moneyline according to the latest soccer odds, while the goal line is set at 2½.
Croatia is brilliant all over the pitch. They are extremely well-prepared and fully packed with experienced players who are enjoying a great season with their clubs. They are rock-solid at the back and superb going forward, and we expect them to extend their winning streak. Not just that, but they will definitely try to finish their UNL campaign in style, qualify in the final four and approach the World Cup full of confidence.