Republic of Ireland return to the Aviva Stadium on Thursday with a chance to build on a much-needed first victory of their Nations League campaign.
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side responded to a poor 1-0 defeat in Kosovo by beating Israel 3-0 in Debrecen on Sunday. Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan all scored inside the opening 25 minutes.
Austria have made a perfect start.
Ralf Rangnick’s side have beaten both Israel and Kosovo 3-1, putting them top of League B Group 3 with six points. They have also managed those results despite Rangnick making six changes between the two games and using 24 different players across the opening two fixtures.
Ireland looked a completely different team on Sunday. Now comes the tougher test of whether they can reproduce it against the group leaders.
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What are the best betting tips for Republic of Ireland vs Austria?
Both teams to score
Ireland’s opening two games couldn’t have been much more different.
They managed only one shot on target in the defeat to Kosovo before putting three past Israel inside 25 minutes on Sunday. Parrott, Idah and Moylan all found the net as Ireland finally showed the attacking threat Hallgrímsson has been looking for.
Austria should provide a much sterner defensive test, but Rangnick’s side haven’t been watertight themselves.
Both Israel and Kosovo scored against them despite Austria winning each game 3-1.
Ireland are also unbeaten across their last eight home internationals, winning five of them.
Austria carry the greater attacking threat, but Ireland should have opportunities at the Aviva.
Troy Parrott to score or assist
Parrott finally has some momentum with Ireland.
The Real Betis striker opened the scoring against Israel and remains the most obvious route to goal in Hallgrímsson’s attack.
He should keep his place against Austria, particularly after Ireland’s front line clicked so quickly in Debrecen.
This market also gives us two routes.
Parrott can threaten the Austrian defence himself, but his movement can also create opportunities for Idah, Moylan and the runners arriving from midfield.
With Ireland back in Dublin and expected to offer considerably more attacking ambition than they did in Kosovo, a Parrott goal involvement appeals.
Romano Schmid to score or assist
Austria are missing plenty of the names we have become used to seeing over recent years.
David Alaba isn’t involved, Marko Arnautović retired after the World Cup and Marcel Sabitzer is taking a break from international football. Christoph Baumgartner is also absent through injury.
That has increased Schmid’s importance.
The Frosinone midfielder scored from the penalty spot against Israel and remains one of Austria’s biggest creative threats around the final third.
With Austria scoring six times across their opening two Nations League matches, backing one of their main attacking midfielders for a goal contribution makes sense.
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What have the managers said?
Heimir Hallgrímsson:
Hallgrímsson has called for Ireland’s focus to return to football following a difficult few days surrounding Sunday’s fixture against Israel.
Speaking ahead of Austria, he said:
“We are trying to focus on the football game against Austria.”
Ireland’s manager has also called for a strong home atmosphere after Sunday’s victory.
“I hope all those fans come out and support these players.”
Hallgrímsson believes his squad showed how much representing Ireland means to them during a difficult week.
Ralf Rangnick:
Rangnick was delighted with Austria’s intensity against Kosovo and wants exactly the same approach in Dublin.
“If we play like that, it’s no fun for the opponent.”
Austria’s pressing was a major feature of Sunday’s 3-1 victory, and Rangnick believes his reshaped squad is beginning to rediscover the identity he wants.
“Today we had real speed.”
He was particularly pleased with Austria’s energy, saying their pressing worked for almost the entire game. Rangnick has previously stressed that his system only works when his players commit fully to it.
“Just a little bit of pressing doesn’t work.”
Austria now take that approach to Dublin, having won both of their opening Nations League matches 3-1.
What is Republic of Ireland’s predicted team?
(3-4-2-1) Kelleher; O’Brien, Egan, O’Shea; Abankwah, Knight, Molumby, Manning; Moylan, Idah; Parrott.
Injured: Nathan Collins, Jamie McGrath, Harvey Vale.
Doubt: Bosun Lawal.
Collins was ruled out of the entire international window before the squad was announced, while McGrath and Vale subsequently withdrew through injury.
Lawal is listed as doubtful with a muscle problem.
Hallgrímsson has little reason to completely rip things up after Sunday’s 3-0 victory, although four games in 11 days means some rotation is possible.
What is Austria’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Alexander Schlager; Posch, Danso, Lienhart, Mwene; Xaver Schlager, Seiwald; Wimmer, Schmid, Grüll; Adamu.
Injured: Christoph Baumgartner.
Doubt: Michael Gregoritsch.
Rangnick has rotated heavily so far, making Austria’s XI particularly difficult to predict.
Kevin Danso has started both Nations League matches, while Xaver Schlager and Nicolas Seiwald have remained together at the base of midfield.
Junior Adamu scored after starting against Kosovo and could retain his place ahead of Gregoritsch, who is dealing with an ankle problem.
Republic of Ireland vs Austria prediction
Sunday’s result was exactly what Ireland needed.
The defeat in Kosovo was flat and offered very little going forward. Three days later, they were 3-0 ahead inside 25 minutes.
Austria represent a sizeable step up, though.
Rangnick is rebuilding his team, but six goals and six points from their opening two matches suggest the changes haven’t done much damage yet.
Ireland’s strong recent record at home makes this more interesting than the table suggests. They can cause Austria problems, particularly if Parrott and Idah carry Sunday’s confidence into the Aviva.
But Austria have enough quality at the other end to make this difficult.
Score prediction: Republic of Ireland 1-1 Austria
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