Austria-Estonia is a match from the second day of Group F of Euro 2024 qualifying and is played on Monday at 20:45: tv, predictions.
Austria, taking advantage of a not at all prohibitive schedule, aim to remain on full points after the second day of qualifying.
The debut of the selection coached since last June by former Leipzig and Manchester United coach Ralf Rangnick – he was repeatedly linked with AC Milan between 2019 and 2020 – coincided with a crushing 4-1 victory over Azerbaijan, the third consecutive victory following the friendlies against Andorra and Roberto Mancini’s Italy, who were defeated 2-0 in Vienna. Sabitzer and his team-mates, after losing the World Cup play-off to Wales a year ago, now do not want to miss out on qualification for the next continental event, hosted by neighbouring Germany. In Group F, apart from Lukaku and De Bruyne’s Belgium – who immediately made things clear on their debut by overwhelming Sweden 3-0 at home – the only selection that could pose a threat to second place is Sweden, but they are already at a handicap.
Austria are in a long-distance duel with Sweden
This means that Austria, should they get the better of lowly Estonia on matchday two, have the chance to momentarily go it alone at the top, considering that Belgium are resting in this round.
Sappinen
Winning would mean maintaining a sizeable lead over Sweden, who will simultaneously be seeking redemption against Azerbaijan. The big absentee from the Linz match will be Marko Arnautovic: the Bologna forward, although called up, has left the training camp in recent days due to injury. It will therefore be up to the Gregoritsch-Baumgartner duo (both of whom scored against the Azeris) to lead the Austrian attack. In midfield, however, the lighthouse is captain Sabitzer, who scored twice in last Friday’s goleada. For Estonia, on the other hand, it will be their debut in the Euro 2024 qualifying round: they were ‘rested’ on the first day, playing a friendly against Hungary, which they lost 1-0. The hopes of snatching a pass for the German European Championship are, as usual, slim, but selector Thomas Haberli hopes to do better than his predecessor, who barely scored a point in the Euro 2020 qualifiers.
The Prediction
Austria are expecting a similar match to Azerbaijan. Rangnick’s men shone from the midfield upwards last Friday, creating numerous goal-scoring chances, and should score between two and four goals in their clash with Estonia as well.
Austria-Estonia’s likely line-up
- AUSTRIA (4-4-2): Lindner; Mwene, Posch, Danso, Wober; Laimer, Seiwald, Sabitzer, Wimmer; Baumgartner, Gregoritsch.
- ESTONIA (3-5-2): Hein; Baranov, Paskotsi, Kussk; Sinyavskiy, Vassiljev, Kait, Shein, Pikk; Ojamaa, Sappinen.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-0
