Build up to the match
Clearly Wales need more than Gareth Bale in order to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and they must find that extra edge come Saturday as they brace to welcome Austria in Cardiff for their World Cup qualifiers. Indeed, The Dragons are currently in third place of Group D, four points adrift of the qualification places with just four games left to play. A mishap in this match may lead to having their World Cup hopes dashed.
Match Information
Kickoff: Saturday, 2 September 2017, 07:45PM England time
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Team News
Wales boss Chris Coleman can once again play his talisman Gareth Bale in this game after a one-match ban. If the iconic forward can grab his chances smartly and efficiently, then the home side may well have this game in the bag. Expect industrious midfielders Joe Ledley and Aaron Ramsey to be in the thick of things come kick-off
Visitors Austria come to Cardiff confident of securing all three points in the road to qualifying for Football’s biggest tournament. Vice-captain David Alaba will definitely look to control proceedings from the flanks while veterans Aleksandar Dragovic and Sebastian Prodl will maintain stability in the back. If they play their cards right, Austria could pull off a fantastic win when the final whistle blows in the Welsh capital.
Form
Wales
D-D-D-D-D
Five draws in their last five qualifying matches is not something Wales will be proud of. The Dragons will definitely be aware of the repercussions that will follow if they fail to win against Austria come Saturday evening. Wales are currently in lagging in the table and a draw, or even more grimly, a defeat here and the country’s fervent fans could riot.
Austria
D-W-L-L-D
Crunching the numbers, Austria find themselves in the same boat as Wales when it comes to reaching qualification. Indeed, both teams are tied in the table with eight points with just four games left to play, Austria just behind Wales on goal difference. Winning this game here could spell good fortunes ahead for Das Team in terms of sealing their ticket to Russia.
Match Prediction
Austria have it in them to seal an empathic win against Wales given the right conditions. However, The Dragons will definitely be bolstered by their homes fans watching on – which will provide just enough edge for them to seal the much-needed win.
Wales 2-1 Austria