Austria vs Norway Prediction: Goals predicted in key European clash

Two of Europe’s emerging football nations meet at the Raiffesisen Arena in Linz on Sunday night (19:45) as Austria host Norway in what should be a belting Nations League encounter. Stale Solbakken has to start producing results for Norway as he manages an incredibly talented generation of players - but we won’t curse them with the ‘Golden Generation’ tag just yet. 

Meanwhile Austria impressed everybody at Euro 2024 but eventually crashed out in the round of 16. Ralf Rangnick has certainly got an exciting playing style however, and he will want to finish top of League B Group 3 of the Nations League. Read on for my Austria vs Norway prediction, team news and more. 

Team News

David Alaba missed out on Euro 2024 and now it looks as though Austria’s captain will be out until the end of the year with the ACL injury that has kept him out for so long. It means Marko Arnautovic will captain the side at the age of 35, with Marcel Sabitzer the other option to wear the armband. Leeds United’s Max Wober is involved, as is RB Leipzig’s Nicolas Seiwald, who should start in midfield.

Norway are without Arsenal's Martin Odegaard as he continues to recover from an ankle injury, but Erling Haaland is included in their squad. Sander Berge and Kristoffer Ajer are also involved from Premier League clubs while Jorgen Strand Larsen has been called up from Wolves, but may find his gametime limited with Alexander Sorloth and Haaland both in the goals, and ahead of him in the pecking order. 

Austria vs Norway Odds

Austria are priced at 6/5 to win this game, with Norway available at 2/1. A draw can be backed at 11/4, over 2.5 goals is 8/11 and BTTS is 8/13. 

Norway to win @ 2/1

These two only met last month so it seems sensible to use that game as our measuring stick for this encounter. Norway came away with the points in that one after a 2-1 win, courtesy of goals from Felix Horn Myhre and of course, Haaland. He will once again be the biggest threat and it’s difficult to see how Austria will be able to stop the finest striker on the planet. 

Even without Odegaard, I think Norway can get the better of Austria, and it feels like the individual talent on show may be enough to secure them a vital three points on the road. They beat Slovenia 3-0 with a brace from their main man on Thursday night, and they now know that three points against Austria should secure them top spot in the group. It’s a big game, and Norway are emerging as a force. It’s time to prove they can beat the elite.  

Over 2.5 goals @ 8/11

Austria hammered Kazakhstan 4-0 in midweek, while Norway bagged a 3-0 win of their own. I think both attacks can cause problems for each other and there should be plenty of goals. Austria’s aggressive high press is always going to lead to chances, but if Norway can break it, there will be plenty of space in behind. 

In fact, Haaland could have a field day if Austria’s defence play on the halfway line, while four of the last five Norway games have ended with over 2.5 goals. Five of the last six Austria games have seen over 2.5 goals so I’m more than willing to back it to come in again at odds of 8/11 here. 

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