Austria to hold Serbia to a draw in World Cup qualifying

On Friday night, Austria host Serbia in Group D of European qualifying for next year’s World Cup, as the visitors look to seal automatic qualification.

Austria have once again flattered to deceive in qualifying. The home side needs to win both of their remaining qualifiers and hope that other results go their way to have any chance of qualifying for the World Cup.

In truth, Marcel Koller’s side have struggled for form in qualifying, winning just two of their eight qualifiers so far. Those wins were not exactly impressive either, as they were against minnows Georgia and Moldova.

One win in their last seven qualifiers illustrates just how badly their qualification campaign has gone so far. Although their recent home form has been inconsistent, they have suffered just one home defeat in their last eight World Cup qualifiers, so the home side are far stronger on home soil.

Serbia only needs one win from their last two group games to seal top spot and automatic qualification for the World Cup.

Slavoljub Muslin’s team are now unbeaten in 12 World Cup qualifiers, having recorded eight victories in the process. Last time out in qualifying, the visitors recorded a crucial 1-0 win against the Republic of Ireland, who were major rivals to take the one automatic qualification spot.

Serbia’s form on their travels has been a major contributing factor to their position at the top of the group, as Muslin’s team are unbeaten in their last five away qualifiers while recording four wins in the process.

The visitors have also conceded just two goals in their last five away games in qualifying, while also scoring at least three goals in three of their last five away qualifiers.

Serbia are massive favourites to secure automatic qualification from this group. However, Forebet predicts that this game will end in a draw and Serbian celebrations will have to be put on hold for a few days.