FIFA World Cup qualifying (WCQ) continues with a clash between Group H’s top two, as Bosnia & Herzegovina host Austria, with both boasting a 100% record so far.
Match News and Current Form
Bosnia’s time as an independent nation has brought just one qualification for a World Cup to date, with that sole success now 11 years ago. When Sergej Barbarez failed to win any of his first eight games in charge (D2, L6), hopes weren’t high of reaching next summer’s showpiece tournament. The Dragons’ WCQ campaign has got off to a flyer though as they’ve strung together four straight wins, including Saturday’s 6-0 demolition of lowly San Marino, and a positive result here would see them maintain top spot in the group. A win would even see them open up a six-point cushion at the summit, which would be monumental at this stage.
Austria are also yet to blink in this campaign having won all three of their qualifiers to date, with the latest of those a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cyprus on Saturday. Ralf Rangnick’s side have now recorded six victories in their last nine games (D2, L1), and are still the favourites to win this group. They will need to do just that to qualify for next summer’s showpiece automatically, and having missed out on the last six World Cups, Austria will undoubtedly want to avoid becoming embroiled in the play-offs a second-placed finish would bring.
Head-to-Head History
Three of the pair’s previous five meetings ended in a draw, with one win apiece. Bosnia’s sole win came in the last H2H they hosted, winning 1-0 in the Nations League back in 2018.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Seven of the ten goals scored by Bosnia so far in this WCQ campaign have come in the second half.
Six of Bosnia’s last eight victories have been accompanied by a clean sheet.
Each of Austria's last 16 wins have seen them score first, including their three in this qualifying cycle.
Nine of Austria’s last 14 matches saw both teams score.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Edin Džeko remains among Bosnia’s biggest threats having netted three goals across his last two international appearances, and he scored the winner in their only previous win over Austria back in 2018 (1-0). Michael Gregoritsch’s last four international goals have all been scored in the first half, including his two so far in this qualifying cycle.
Neither side have any fresh injury concerns ahead of this clash, but Austria will be without Stefan Posch through suspension after he picked up his second yellow of the WCQ campaign.
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Betting Analysis
Since Ralf Rangnick’s appointment, the visitors have looked rejuvenated and found some much-needed steel, so we recommend backing Austria to score first and win.
Author: Ben Olawumi