Comments and predictions for Austria vs Romania: Breathtaking chase

Latest Austria vs Romania team information

Austria captain David Alaba continues his recovery from a meniscus injury and will miss the match. In addition, two players who started the last match will also be absent.

Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager has a wrist injury, while Feyenoord defender Gernot Trauner is suspended after receiving a red card in the match against Serbia and will not be available on Saturday.

In good news for coach Rangnick – who has called up a number of uncapped players such as Tobias Lawal and Nicolas Schmid – central midfielder Xaver Schlager has recovered from a thigh injury and is ready to return.

Up front, Michael Gregoritsch is likely to be chosen as the starter instead of veteran Marko Arnautovic.

For Romania, striker Denis Dragus is still the top choice on the attack line.

Two England-based stars – Radu Dragusin and Ianis Hagi – are absent: Dragusin is still injured and Hagi has just been given permission to withdraw by Rangers. However, Parma winger Valentin Mihaila is back after missing the March training camp due to injury.

Captain Nicolae Stanciu – who has just agreed to join Dragusin’s former club Genoa – is expected to start in a three-man midfield, with coach Mircea Lucescu still favouring a 4-3-3 formation.

Latest expected lineup Austria vs Romania

Shirt:Pentz; Posch, Danso, Lienhart, Mwene; Seiwald, Grillitsch; R. Schmid, Baumgartner, Sabitzer; Arnautovic

Romania:Nita; Ratiu, Popescu, Burca, Bancu; R. Marin, M. Marin, Stanciu; Man, Dragus, Coman

Latest football commentary on Austria vs Romania

After finishing second in their group in the most recent UEFA Nations League, Austria had the chance to join Europe's top teams via the spring play-off against Serbia, but they eventually lost 1-3 on aggregate.

Unbeaten at home in the group stage – with big wins over Norway and Kazakhstan, and a draw with Slovenia – Austria drew 1-1 at the Ernst-Happel before falling 2-0 in the return leg in Belgrade.

Despite having to stay in League B of UEFA's latest national team competition, coach Ralf Rangnick's priority goal is still to qualify for the upcoming World Cup.

Since reaching the 1998 World Cup finals in France, Austria has not returned to the tournament, so the pressure is on the experienced coach to end that drought.

Rangnick's start has been impressive, and there have been positive signs at Euro 2024, but Austria are now six points behind Group H leaders Bosnia-Herzegovina – and three behind their next opponents Romania.

Romania have met Austria twice in World Cup qualifying, picking up just one point on the road to South Africa 2010. The most recent meetings between the two sides came in the UEFA Nations League nearly five years ago, with Romania winning 3-2 away in Vienna but then losing 1-0 at home.

After a disappointing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, Romania cannot afford to drop any more points if they want to compete for the top spot in the group – the only place that guarantees a direct ticket to the finals. The second-placed teams will have to enter the risky play-off round.

Despite impressing at the Euros and then winning six straight games in the Nations League, coach Mircea Lucescu's team surprisingly lost at home to Bosnia in their opening match, before crushing weak San Marino 5-1 in Serravalle.

Romania are therefore in a chase for their first World Cup berth of the 21st century, and letting Austria level the scores could be a disastrous stumble.

If they can pick up a point on Saturday, before beating Cyprus at home, it would be a great birthday present for coach Lucescu – who turns 80 next month.

Latest score prediction Austria vs Romania

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the results of the match.Austria vs Romaniaas follows:

• Sportsmole:Austria 2-1 Romania

• WhoScore:Austria 2-0 Romania
• Our newspaper predicts:Austria 2-1 Romania

When and where to watch Austria vs Romania live?

To watch the live match Austria vs Romania in the World Cup qualifiers taking place at 1:45 a.m. on June 8, viewers can watch onK+ Sport,K+PMor online sports channels. Wish you have fun watching football.