On Friday night, the Austrian Bundesliga campaign kicks off with a clash between the old and the new giants of the Austrian game, as Rapid Vienna host RB Salzburg at the Allianz Stadion.
The clash is a fascinating one as the visitors have dominated the Austrian top-flight race in recent years, winning six straight Bundesliga titles. However, Rapid Vienna remains the most successful club in the history of the Austrian game, having won the title on 32 occasions.
Despite their great history Rapid have struggled for success in recent years, finishing a disappointing seventh place last season. Since the clubs rebranding in 2005, Salzburg have been an unstoppable force in the Bundesliga.
In truth, Rapid endured an inconsistent campaign last season, which obviously played a key role in their league position in the table. The fact that the team from the Austrian capital won two and lost three of their last five league games rather illustrates their inconsistency.
Their home results toward the end of the last campaign also pointed to a mixed campaign, as Rapid won just two of their final five league outings.
Salzburg finished last season how they spent much of it, by recording wins and scoring goals. The visitor's recorded victories in their final four league encounters while scoring at least twice in all four wins.
The reigning champions ended last season with a goal difference of plus 52, scoring 79 goals and conceding just 27, which unsurprisingly where league-best records for the campaign.
One of the main factors in Salzburg’s recent success in the Bundesliga has been their attacking prowess on their travels. Although the visitors did not finish last season with much consistency on their travels, they still scored at least two goals in 13 of their 16 away games in the league last season.
Forebet predicts that this season will start with a continuation of last season, with Salzburg winning and scoring big in front of goal.