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📋 Match Preview

Austria and Serbia lock horns at Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, March 20, 2025, in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoff.

• Austria (League B runners-up) are aiming to return to League A for the first time since 2022.
• Serbia (League A third place, Group A4) are looking to avoid relegation after a difficult campaign.

With only one team earning a place in League A, expect a high-intensity battle in Vienna.

⚡ Interesting Fact:

Austria have won the last two meetings against Serbia, including a 3-2 victory in their last competitive encounter in Vienna in 2017.

🔍 Team Analysis

🇦🇹 Austria

Austria narrowly missed automatic promotion after finishing second behind Norway in Group B3.

However, Ralf Rangnick’s side have been impressive at home, remaining unbeaten in their three group-stage matches.

📊 Current Form:

🏆 Last 5 matches: ✅✅🤝❌✅
⚽ Last match: 1-1 vs. Slovenia (H)

⭐ Key Players:

• David Alaba – Austria’s defensive leader, back from injury.
• Christoph Baumgartner – Scored against Serbia in their last meeting, in excellent form.
• Marcel Sabitzer – Creative midfielder, adds goal-scoring threat.

🚑 Injuries & Suspensions:

❌ Maximilian Wober (knee), Stefan Posch (thigh), Kevin Danso (thigh), Konrad Laimer (suspended)

✅ David Alaba & Xaver Schlager return.

🏟 Home Form (Nations League):

✅ Wins: 8 | 🤝 Draws: 3 | ❌ Losses: 1

Austria have won six of their last seven Nations League home matches.

🇷🇸 Serbia

Serbia finished third in League A Group 4, behind Spain and Denmark, narrowly avoiding automatic relegation.

Their poor recent form means Dragan Stojkovic’s job is under scrutiny, with Serbia winning just one of their last nine matches.

📊 Current Form:

🏆 Last 5 matches: 🤝❌❌✅❌
⚽ Last match: 0-0 vs. Denmark (H)

⭐ Key Players:

• Dušan Vlahović – Serbia’s main goal threat, needs to step up.
• Luka Jović – Creative forward, capable of game-changing moments.
• Sergej Milinković-Savić – Key midfielder, dictates Serbia’s tempo.

🚑 Injuries & Suspensions:

❌ Aleksandar Mitrovic (health concerns), Ivan Ilic (illness), Nikola Milenkovic (suspended), Strahinja Pavlovic (suspended), Andrija Zivkovic (suspended), Aleksa Terzic (suspended)

✅ New call-ups: Ognjen Mimovic & Mihajlo Cvetkovic

🚀 Away Form (Nations League):

✅ Wins: 3 | 🤝 Draws: 2 | ❌ Losses: 5

Serbia have failed to score in five of their last seven matches.

⚔️ Head-to-Head & Past Encounters

✅ Austria 2-1 Serbia – June 2024 (Friendly)
✅ Austria 3-2 Serbia – Oct 2017 (World Cup Qualifier)

🔹 Key Stats:

• Austria are unbeaten in their last two meetings with Serbia.
• Serbia have only won once in their last nine away games.
• Austria have scored 2+ goals in five of their last six home matches.

🎯 Prediction (Goal.mu/Mauri.bet)

⚽ Prediction: Austria 2-0 Serbia

Austria’s home advantage and strong attacking form make them favourites, while Serbia’s struggles in front of goal continue.

💰 Betting Tips

📌 Both Teams to Score: No ✅

• Serbia have failed to score in five of their last seven matches.

📌 Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 Goals ✅

• Austria have scored 10 goals in their last three home games.

📌 First Goal Scorer: Christoph Baumgartner ✅

• Scored against Serbia in their last meeting, in great form.

📌 Half-Time Result: Austria to Lead (1-0) ✅

• Austria have scored first in six of their last seven home matches.

🏆 Possible Lineups

🇦🇹 Austria (4-2-3-1):

🧤 Pentz
🛡️ Prass – Alaba – Lienhart – Mwene
⚡ Seiwald – Wimmer
🔥 Schmid – Baumgartner – Sabitzer
🎯 Arnautovic

🇷🇸 Serbia (3-4-1-2):

🧤 Rajkovic
🛡️ Babic – Veljkovic – Erakovic
⚡ Birmancevic – Maksimovic – Lukic – Topic
🔥 Samardzic
🎯 Vlahovic – Jovic

📅 Match Details

📅 Match Date: March 20, 2025
🏟 Venue: Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna
⏰ Kickoff Time: 7:45 PM UK Time

🔍 Final Verdict:

Austria’s home dominance and attacking firepower give them a strong edge, while Serbia’s defensive absences and poor form put them at risk of relegation.

Can Austria take control before the return leg in Belgrade, or will Serbia find a way to grind out a result?

🔥 Drop your predictions below!

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