Austria and Israel have started their qualification campaigns for Euro 2020 in a promising manner.
They are currently third and fourth place respectively in Group G, with both teams still in contention to qualify for next years competition. The pair meet on Thursday night in Vienna in what could be a pivotal match in the group.
The home side heads into this clash just three points behind group leaders Poland after a good run of form in qualifying of late.
Franco Foda’s team are now four games unbeaten in Group G after recording three wins and a draw. Only a highly respectable draw last time out in Poland ended a three-game winning run.
The fact that Austria have conceded just once in those recent qualifiers has been one of the keys to their recent improvement in form. They have also been strong on home soil in recent years in qualifying, winning six of their last seven home matches.
Once again, their solid defensive record has been a factor in those results, as Austria have conceded just once in seven qualifiers on home soil.
Israel have never qualified for the European Championships, although they have only been part of UEFA since 1994. The countries only ever appearance at a major international tournament came way back in the 1970 World Cup.
A poor recent run of form has slightly hampered their chances of making it to Euro 2020, as they have now failed to win in three qualifiers, suffering two defeats in the process.
Israel have a poor recent away record in qualifying, having lost four of their last six matches on their travels in qualification. A poor defensive record on their travels has been their downfall, as they conceded at least two goals in all four defeats.
Israel national squad for the Euro 2020 qualifications games against @oefb1904 and @kajbumba pic.twitter.com/DtURZWBceu— ISRAEL FA (@ISRAELFA) October 2, 2019
Israel national squad for the Euro 2020 qualifications games against @oefb1904 and @kajbumba pic.twitter.com/DtURZWBceu
Forebet predicts that Austria will aid their qualification chances by recording a victory in a high-scoring encounter.