Latvia - Austria Prediction, Picks and Tips
On Tuesday evening, the last games in the current European Championship qualifier will finally be contested. A lot of excitement is no longer there, because only in the group E fight three teams in the Fernduell for the second European Championship ticket behind Vice World Champion Croatia. In the remaining groups, the two group firsts are already fixed - since Saturday evening, the Austrian national team. At the end of the qualification, it's time for the east again: in Riga, there is a duel between Latvia and Austria! Both Latvia and Austria started in the European Championship qualification with two defeats. However, this is not the only thing in common, because with a look at the respective flag a similarity can not be dismissed out of hand. However, there were no other similarities in recent months. In Latvia defeat went to defeat, while Austria made the turnaround and on Saturday evening the EM ticket was resolved. In Riga, Austria will certainly go wild, but is still regarded as a big favorite among bookmakers. The game starts at 19:45.
At the beginning of March Slovenian Slavisa Stojanovic took up his job as head coach of the Latvian national football team. His predecessor Mixu Paatelainen was only nine games in office, collecting eight counters. However, he remained in the new UEFA Nations League against Andorra (!), Georgia and Kazakhstan in six games without victory. With the teams at eye level seemingly one size too big, the chances for the European Championship qualification were not very good. The team, drawn from pot six, was completely overwhelmed. Slavisa Stojanovic can almost be a bit sorry, because in his nine international matches as a team boss are just as many defeats. The European Championship participant from 2004 (then the blatant underdog scored a goalless draw against Germany) is now among the weakest national teams in Europe. In the current FIFA World Ranking, the Latvians ranked only on rank 143. In this area are otherwise football greats such as Burundi, Botswana or Ethiopia. Known players can not be found in the Latvian squad. Only seven of the 23 cadre players earn their money abroad. Goalkeeper Andris Vanins (39), center-back Marcis Oss and striker Robert Uldrikis are under contract in Switzerland and may well be familiar to one or the other German-speaking fan. In the previous nine qualifiers, only two meager goals (against Macedonia and Israel) were scored. Otherwise, there were only defeats to zero! With 28 goals, Latvia caught on average more than three hits per game. In view of the offensive weakness offers on Tuesday evening between Latvia and Austria, the forecast that not both teams to score.
It's done! For the second time in a row, the Austrian national football team has survived a qualification for the European Championship. Four years ago, Marcel Koller was called "Messiah" and triggered a huge euphoria. The disillusionment followed at the final round, when Austria did not meet the high expectations. Although Austria is a country in which the fans are excited quickly - but also just as fast the pendulum in the other direction ausschlägt. The German Franco Foda is already long enough in Austria and has been able to experience this mentality often or have to. Therefore, he did not panic at the beginning of the qualification despite the defeats against Poland and Israel. The team was aware after the cold start that they may allow no more Umfaller more and it was almost exclusively finals to contest. However, this pressure seemed to inspire the ÖFB-Elf. 19 out of 21 possible points were collected and thus Austria 2020 is represented for the third time at a European Championship. The participation was fixed with a 2-1 home win against Northern Macedonia. The result is in the face of the game flattering for the guests from Eastern Europe. Austria played very pleasing, always looking for the way between the lines and worked out countless chances to score. The only point of criticism was the lack of chance, otherwise a possible victory would have been possible. The goal hit fell only with the final whistle, so had to be trembled by no means. After the fixed qualification the party could start with their own fans. The day after, Foda "released" six regular players early to their clubs. Due to the many games of Alaba, Sabitzer, Hinteregger, Laimer, Lainer and Arnautovic these players got a breather. Foda wants to defend himself against the term "B-Elf", although quite a few changes are the logical consequence. Finally, the fight for one of the 23 squad places begins officially. Foda himself reiterated that he has a pool of 30-40 players available. Despite the absences Austria has a much stronger team than the Latvians. Players like Florian Grillitsch, Christopher Trimmel, Stefan Ilsanker or Louis Schaub are likely to slip into the root formation. The players have the opportunity to play in the limelight and so we have no qualms about the score between Latvia and Austria.
Our recommendation tip for Latvia - Austria : BTS / NO @ 1.57