The Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo provides the venue for this intriguing League B Group 1 opening fixture between Norway and Austria in what could be described as a ‘group of death’ along with the likes of Northern Ireland and Romania.
It’s a tough group and the winner of this fixture (if there is one) would get a great head-start on the other nations in the race for top spot. Norway, rather predictably, won Group 3 of League C in the inaugural Nations League by a two-point margin over runners-up, Bulgaria to gain promotion up to League B for this upcoming campaign.
Abschlusstraining ✅ Morgen wartet Norwegen 🇳🇴 #GemeinsamÖsterreich || >> zum Beitrag auf ÖFB TV: https://t.co/ySbXDoFhEi pic.twitter.com/1eoQeUAXQC— ÖFB - oefb.at (@oefb1904) September 3, 2020
Abschlusstraining ✅ Morgen wartet Norwegen 🇳🇴 #GemeinsamÖsterreich || >> zum Beitrag auf ÖFB TV: https://t.co/ySbXDoFhEi pic.twitter.com/1eoQeUAXQC
Friday’s hosts, Norway, will be looking to use these upcoming Nations League fixtures as preparation for their European Championship qualifier play-off against Serbia in October where they’ll be in Path C for a possible play-off final spot.
Norway had earlier finished in 3rd place in Group F behind group winners, Spain, and runners-up, Sweden, but having lost just once throughout the group stage, the Norwegians will be confident of making a bright start to this Nations League campaign, particularly as they’re unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions.
Onto Austria, and the visitors finished in 2nd place in Group 3 of League B at the end of the first Nations League, three points behind the group winners, Bosnia & Herzegovina. The Austrians then grabbed the runners-up spot behind Poland in the subsequent European Championship qualifiers in Group G to qualify for the Euro finals.
It finished as expected with Poland on top but Austria claiming 2nd place in a group which also included North Macedonia, Slovenia, Israel and Latvia, but it was Austria’s form at home which helped get them over the line.
Four wins from their five matches on home soil with victories over Slovenia, Latvia, Israel and North Macedonia made all the difference which is just as well as their results away from home were sketchy at best.
Wins on the road at North Macedonia and Slovenia were tempered by losses at Israel and Latvia while a point at Poland was a welcome boost.
To sum up, Norway look the better equipped to get a result from this clash and with the presence of in-form striker, Erling Haland, along with Premier League forwards, King and Sorloth, the hosts look the more likely here.