UEFA NATIONS BETTING PICK - AUSTRIA V NORTHERN IRELAND

UEFA Nations

2018-10-12 - Austria vs Northern Ireland

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Austria v Northern Ireland
Football: UEFA Nations League
Friday 12th October 2018 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV

---

Austria

A golden generation of players were supposed to be leading Austria to some real successes at international level but they have so far flattered to deceive. There was a hangover from a really under-par Euro 2016 Finals and that meant Austria missed out on a place at the last World Cup Finals.

There was a real hope that the team could rally together and at least get back to winning ways when the UEFA Nations League began, but Austria were beaten at Bosnia-Herzegovina last month which means there is work to do in the Group. Any hopes of winning the section will be based on whether they can win their remaining three games in the Group and Austria had built up some momentum prior to the defeat to Bosnia to think they can still do that.

Austria made a poor start to the World Cup Qualifying campaign, but they were going into the game with Bosnia in the UEFA Nations League having won 8 of 9 games. They have won 6 of their last 7 games at home after beating Sweden 2-0 last month with the one exception being a defeat to Brazil. In that run Austria have beaten Serbia, Uruguay, Russia and Germany so they have to be respected.

Northern Ireland

For a long time Northern Ireland had not really threatened to make it back to a major international tournament, but Michael O'Neill should be given a lot of credit for how competitive he has made his team. Northern Ireland reached the Last 16 at Euro 2016 and they were only beaten in a World Cup Play Off by the narrow 1-0 margin to Switzerland which prevented them making a return on the biggest of stages.

The goal for O'Neill and Northern Ireland is to make it back to back European Championship Finals appearances and they do have the look of a team that is capable of doing that. Even the 1-2 defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the UEFA Nations League won't have dented the confidence because Northern Ireland fully deserved to win that fixture. Bouncing back won't be easy as Northern Ireland face back to back trips to Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina and likely need at least four points to remain competitive in the Group.

Northern Ireland have won 2 of their last 9 games overall after beating Israel 3-0 in their last fixture last month. An understrength Northern Ireland team were beaten 3-0 by Costa Rica prior to the World Cup Finals beginning, but they have only lost 2 of their previous 11 away games and one of those came at the hands of Germany.

Head to Head

Austria took four points from Northern Ireland in the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers with the majority of those earned in the 2-0 home win against them.

Austria had not won any of 6 games against Northern Ireland prior to that win in October 2005 including neither of their previous 2 home games against them.

Prediction

This looks to be a very interesting fixture in the UEFA Nations League and my immediate reaction to the prices is that Austria look very short to beat Northern Ireland.

You have to credit Austria for the strong run they have produced at home over the last twelve months with plenty of wins put together. They have beaten some quality teams in that time too, but Northern Ireland have proven they can be tough to beat away from home and Michael O'Neill will have them well organised and difficult to break down.

If you take away the weakened team that were beaten 3-0 in Costa Rica, Northern Ireland have only lost 1 away game by more than a single goal margin since January 2015. That defeat came against Germany, but Northern Ireland won't be rolling over for Austria who failed to beat Wales or the Republic of Ireland at home in the World Cup Qualifiers played over the last couple of years.

The quality is with Austria, but the hard work of Northern Ireland forced a goalless draw in Switzerland and they have every chance of frustrating their hosts in this one too. You can get a full goal start on the Asian Handicap with the visitors and that will be my play.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

I'll back Northern Ireland + 1 Asian Handicap @ 1.90 BetVictor

---