Austria vs Croatia

Ernst Happel Stadion is the venue as Austria and Croatia go head-to-head in the ultimate round of the 2022/23 Nations League group stages.

Since an overwhelming 3-0 win away to Croatia on matchday one, the Austrians have gone winless in four consecutive Nations League games (D1, L3), including a 2-0 defeat in France last time out. Austria’s inability to end their dismal run of form would result in demotion to League B, and there’s every reason for fear in the home camp. Before the abovementioned triumph in Osijek, Austria had lost five consecutive H2Hs against Croatia, failing to get on the scoresheet on three occasions. Unfortunately for ‘Das Team,’ now even a win would suffice to keep them in League A if France amass maximum points in Denmark. Going into this must-win clash, Ralf Rangnick’s men have failed to win five of their last seven Nations League home outings (W2, D3, L2).

In the meantime, Croatia’s 2-1 home triumph over Denmark a few days ago took their winning Nations League streak to three matches, cancelling out their disappointing two-game winless Group A1 run (D1, L1). The Croats will take the field top of the group, one point clear of second-placed Denmark, meaning a failed attempt to claim all three points combined with the Danes’ win over France would leave them out of the playoffs. Despite Croatia’s ongoing three-match winning streak, the fact each of those three victories yielded a single-goal margin suggests Zlatko Dalic’s men lack conviction. But on the bright side, the ‘Blazers’ have suffered just one defeat in 14 internationals since exiting Euro 2020 (W9, D4), fuelling the nation’s bid to reach their first-ever Nations League playoffs.

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