Austria - Serbia
When Austria defeated France by three goals to one at the Ernst Happel Stadion on Saturday 6 September of this year, it seemed that Czech head coach Karel Brückner, newly appointed in the role, was leading the country to a bright new international future.Only the previous month, Austria had nearly sprung a massive surprise by grasping a two goal lead in Italy only to eventually succumb to the Azzurri’s force and ending with a draw.Such strong foundations have not been built upon as the Austrian challenge for World Cup qualification has, apparently, crumbled against pressure from two of the qualifying groups supposed make-weights.Coming off the high of destroying France was easy for the Austrians as they froze in Lithuania, limping away from Vilnius with a 2-0 defeat to put their fine start in perspective.
“We will go to Vienna for three more points,” stated Serbian head coach Radomir Antić after watching his side dismantle Lithuania on Saturday evening.Leading the group after three matches, Antić’s side appear to have overcome a tricky start to the new head coach’s life in charge. A 2-0 victory against the Faroe Islands at home was unimpressive in the extreme while the Serbians never threatened to upset an uncertain looking French side in Paris as they struggled to a 2-1 defeat in their opening double-header in September.The change in the pace and quality of the football the team played on Saturday in the success against Lithuania was really quite remarkable. Switching from a mechanical, rather predictable side against France, the Serbians played some lovely fluid football on Saturday and will be looking for more of the same against Austria.
Austria
Saturday’s result will be seen as a disaster for Austria’s hopes of finishing in the top two spots in the group and, therefore, alterations will be made to the side’s tactics, although the personnel will remain largely familiar. Of course, the nature of the forthcoming home fixture against Serbia is very different to the draw in the Faroe Islands. Werder Bremen youngster Martin Harnik limped off during the first half of Saturday’s draw and must be considered a heavy doubt for Wednesday’s match but, otherwise, the Austrian side appears to be in good health.
Predicted line-up: Manniger; Garics, Prödl, Stranzl, Pogatetz; Scharner, Ivanschitz, Fuchs, Holzl; Hoffer, Janko
Serbia
Radomir Antić has had just one injury scare in his squad with defender Ivica Dragutinović forced off mid-way through the first half of the victory over Lithuania with an injury. Into his berth will come Mladen Krstajić of Schalke 04. Krstajić, a tall centre-back, should hope to cope with the aerial threat of Austria with a degree of comfort.Vast changes are unexpected in the side after such a fine showing last Saturday.
Predicted line-up: Stojković; Ivanović, Krstajić, Vidić, Obradović; Milijas, Stanković, Krasić, Jovanović; Zigić, Pantelić
Tought match...1-0 0-0 1-1 or 0-1 most probable scores..under 2.5 IMO.
posted by Midnight Sun @ 22:56,
0 Comments: