Preview: Austria vs. Norway – forecast, team news, lineups

The first two in League B Group 3 called up as the runner-up on Sunday evening Austria Host guide Norway in the UEFA Nations League.

The Norwegians come to Linz having continued their unbeaten start, largely thanks to their new all-time leading goalscorer Erling Haaland; Meanwhile, the hosts scored four goals against Kazakhstan.

Game preview

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After picking up just one point from two away games in September – including a 2-1 loss to Norway – Austria were under pressure to perform when Group 3 outsiders Kazakhstan paid them a visit on Thursday.

Although Christoph Baumgartner gave the Austrians an early lead and the victory was only finally secured with two goals in three minutes of the second half Philipp Lienhart And Marcel Sabitzer – Make the result clear beforehand Matthias Seidl made it 4-0.

Ralf RangnickNorway's team is now level on points with Slovenia and both teams are vying to join Norway in fighting for automatic promotion – the group winner advances straight to League A while the runner-up secures a playoff.

Austria, who were relegated last time out before making an impressive impression at Euro 2024, are aiming to make an immediate return to Europe's top flight this season.

However, in their final game before next month's final, they face opponents they have only beaten once in their last four meetings this century – although that only success came in the 2020 Nations League.

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After overcoming the disappointment of missing out on the European Championships again, Norway's superstar striker Erling Haaland returned to the international stage by scoring a late winner against Austria in Oslo.

Haaland – who spent time in the Austrian Bundesliga before making his journey to Manchester via Dortmund – showed his disregard for long-standing records on Thursday evening when he became his country's top international goalscorer.

The 24-year-old scored his 34th goal just after the hour mark, making it his second goal of the game, with each goal coming either side of a goal from a fellow striker Alexander Sorloth.

Although Stale SolbakkenThe s team began their 2024-25 season with a frustrating goalless draw in Kazakhstan, but with back-to-back wins they are now at the top Group 3 At halftime with seven points in the account.

Norway may have waited far too long to get to a major final, but if they can get three wins out of three this weekend, Haaland and Co. could soon find themselves competing with Europe's elite in League A.

Form of the Austrian Nations League:

Austria form (all competitions):

Norwegian Nations League form:

Norway form (all competitions):

Team news

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Ralf Rangnick had to improvise as captain this month when selecting his back four David Alaba is still recovering after a long break Kevin Danso And Maximilian Wober are also not available.

Philipp Lienhart and Gernot Trauner were used in central defense against Kazakhstan, but Michael Svoboda And Marco Friedl are strong competitors: the former played his first international match as a substitute on Thursday; The latter is back in the Austrian squad after an absence of more than two years.

Freiburg handed over to the front Junior Adamu a rare chance to start in attack, record national player Marko Arnautovic could be on Rangnick's mind this weekend.

There should be no doubt about the identity of Norway's main striker: Erling Haaland has so far scored an average of 0.94 goals per game for his national team. Alexander Sorloth from Atletico Madrid and loanee from Wolverhampton Wanderers Jörgen Strand Larsen Lead the queue to accompany him.

However, the visitors will once again have to do without their inspiring skipper, Martin Odegaard. The Arsenal midfielder is still sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in September's international match, as is Haaland's Manchester City team-mate Oscar Bobb is also excluded.

Austria possible starting lineup:
Pentz; Posch, Svoboda, Lienhart, Prass; Seiwald, Laimer, Sabitzer; Schmid, Baumgartner; Arnautovic

Possible starting lineup for Norway:
Nyland; Ajer, Ostigard, Hanche-Olsen, Wolfe; Pedersen, Thorsby, Berge, Nusa; Sorloth, Haaland

We say: Austria – Norway 2:2

When these teams met in September, it was a tough battle with Norway narrowly securing victory thanks to an 80th-minute winner.

Given the home advantage on this occasion, Ralf Rangnick's hard-fought Austrian side should at least escape with a draw and remain on course for a place in the top two next month.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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