Sweden vs Austria: Head to head statistics
Sweden vs Austria recommended bets
Sweden vs Austria match preview
A simply huge and, potentially, decisive night in the race for European Championship qualifying in Stockholm.
In the reverse fixture at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in June, two late goals from Christoph Baumgartner saw Austria snatch a 2-0 victory, which could prove so crucial.
This took Das Team’s points tally at the half-way mark to ten, having also impressively held Belgium to a 1-1 draw in Brussels three days earlier.
Given the advantageous spot they’ve put themselves in, even a point for Ralf Rangnick in Solna would be an enormous step towards a third successive European Championships appearance.
For Sweden meantime, this is simply must win, having already lost two of their four qualifiers so far, not only beaten in Vienna but also smacked 3-0 by Belgium back in March.
On Saturday, Janne Andersson’s side did at least get back to winning ways, demolishing strugglers Estonia 5-0 in Tallinn.
Viktor Gyökeres, Dejan Kuluševski, Alexander Isak, Robin Quaison and Viktor Claesson all on target at A. Le Coq Arena.
This though merely keeps the Blågult in the hunt, as they kick off in third place, four points below both Belgium and Austria.
Sweden, almost certainly, need to win all their matches from here on out, which includes a daunting trip to Brussels on 16 October.
Following a catastrophic Nations League campaign in 2022, the Blågult will not be involved in March’s play-offs, so failure to finish in the top two of this group would see them miss out on a first Euros since 1996.
Will Sweden keep alive their qualification hopes with a victory at Friends Arena, or can Austria all but wrap up a top two finish by claiming victory?
Sweden team news
After both were on target in Tallinn, Viktor Gyökeres will continue as Alexander Isak’s partner in attack.
Winger Anthony Elanga is out injured, so Emil Forsberg and Dejan Kuluševski will keep their places out-wide.
Austria team news
Austria were in friendly action on Thursday, with Ralf Rangnick shuffling his pack for the 1-1 draw with Moldova in Linz.
Goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann was massively at fault for Moldova’s goal, so could Alexander Schlager return in his place?
David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer, Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautović all came off the bench at Raiffeisen Arena, all set to return to the starting XI for this crucial trip to Stockholm.