MX23RW : Saturday, November 14 12:24:22| >> :60:1009:1009:

Preview: Northern Ireland vs. Austria - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's UEFA Nations League clash between Northern Ireland and Austria, including team news and predicted lineups.

Northern Ireland will head into their UEFA Nations League clash with Austria this weekend on a high after keeping alive their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2020.

Ian Baraclough's men beat Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday to set up a qualifying playoff final showdown with Slovakia and will now be looking to push on.


Match preview

Liam Boyce scored the winning penalty for Northern Ireland in Sarajevo after Niall McGinn cancelled out Rade Krunic's opener in normal time.

It was a huge victory for the Green and White Army, one that keeps them on course for back-to-back European Championship finals appearances.

Excitement is already building ahead of next month's home clash with Slovakia, but before then Baraclough's men have a couple more Nations League games to play.

Northern Ireland have not made the best of starts to their campaign, having lost 5-1 at home to Norway last month, a few days on from snatching a last-gasp draw in Romania.

Austria sit a point better off in Group B1 ahead of this trip to Windsor Park, where around 600 supporters are expected to be in attendance as coronavirus restrictions are eased.

Northern Ireland's Liam Boyce celebrates after the Euro 2020 qualification playoff with Bosnia-Herzegovina on October 8, 2020© Reuters

Franco Foda's side won 2-1 away to Norway in their opening game, only to undo all that hard work with a 3-2 home loss at the hands of Romania a few days later.

Sunday's visitors were also in action in midweek, although unlike Northern Ireland they could afford to rest players for their 2-1 comeback win at home to Greece.

Adrian Grbic and Christoph Baumgartner were on target for Austria in the final 13 minutes to turn the contest on its head in Klagenfurt.

The Burschen will now be looking to take advantage of Northern Ireland's underwhelming home return, which has seen them lose two and draw one of their last three there, including that crushing loss at the hands of Norway last month.

Northern Ireland Nations League form: DL
Northern Ireland form (all competitions): WDLDLW

Austria Nations League form: WL
Austria form (all competitions): WWLWLW


Team News

Jonny Evans pictured for Northern Ireland in March 2019© Reuters

Baraclough will no doubt look to make changes on the back of the trip to Bosnia, but he does not exactly have the deepest of squads.

Jonny Evans's return at the back was a massive boost last time out and he should retain his place for this game, though the likes of Corry Evans and McGinn may make way.

Gavin Whyte scored a last-minute goal in Northern Ireland's UEFA Nations League opener and will be hopeful of a recall, while Kyle Lafferty is another in contention to start.

Austria made mass changes for their friendly with Greece on Wednesday and are likely to revert back to their strongest XI for this match.

Grbic did his chances of starting this game no harm with his goal in midweek, while Karim Onisiwo will also be hopeful he did enough to warrant another start.

Northern Ireland possible starting lineup:
Bailey-Peacock; Dallas, Cathcart, Evans, Lewis; Thompson, Davis; Whyte, Thompson, Jones; Washington

Austria possible starting lineup:
A.Schlager; Lainer, Posch, Hinteregger, Ulmer; Grillitsch, Baumgartlinger; Sabitzer, X.Schlager, Baumgartner; Gregoritsch


SM words green background

We say: Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria

Northern Ireland may have picked up a massive victory on Thursday, but that penalty-shootout victory - after a tense period of extra time - would have taken it out of them.

Austria beat the Green and White Army home and away in the most recent UEFA Nations League campaign and we can see that trend continuing on Sunday.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data

ID:417784:cQx

Who will win Sunday's UEFA Nations League clash between Northern Ireland and Austria?

Northern Ireland
Draw
Austria
Northern Ireland
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Austria
0.0%
0
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Northern Ireland's Liam Boyce celebrates after the Euro 2020 qualification playoff with Bosnia-Herzegovina on October 8, 2020
Read Next:
Ian Baraclough credits Northern Ireland's homework for penalty shootout win
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Nations League
Nations League
Nations League
World Cup Qualifying - South America
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Scottish League Cup
Finnish Veikkausliiga Playoffs
NIFL Premiership
Welsh Premier League
Segunda Division
Serie B
Eerste Divisie
Brasileiro
Copa de la Liga Profesional
Uruguayan Primera Division
J1 League
International Friendlies
Women's Super League
Autumn Nations Cup
Rugby Championship
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leicester CityLeicester8602189918
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs85211991017
3Liverpool85211816217
4Southampton85121612416
5Chelsea843120101015
6Aston Villa7502189915
7Everton84131614213
8Crystal Palace84131212013
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves841389-113
10Manchester CityMan City7331109112
11Arsenal8404910-112
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham83231410411
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle83231013-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd73131214-210
15Leeds UnitedLeeds83141417-310
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton81341114-36
17Fulham8116715-84
18West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom8035617-113
19Burnley7025312-92
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd8017414-101

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!