Austria play host to Norway in the UEFA Nations League on Wednesday evening knowing that only a draw is required to secure top spot in League B Group 1.
As a result of a positive coronavirus test and the enforcement of government travel restrictions, Norway have been forced to name a completely different squad for the fixture in Vienna.
Match preview
© Reuters
Ahead of the trip to Romania last week, Norway would have been confident of recording the two wins which would have provided them with qualification for next year's Finals.
However, a positive coronavirus within the group led to the Norwegian government taking action, forcing the game in Bucharest to be postponed and the national team requiring a completely different squad if they are to fulfil their fixture in Vienna.
On Monday morning, an 18-man squad consisting of 13 uncapped players was named, with Genk midfielder Mats Moller Daehli the only member of the group who has earned more than eight caps.
The newcomers have been left with the task of trying to secure a win by a two-goal margin or recording victory in a game where they net at least three times.
Either of those scenarios must be completed to earn a spot in the UEFA Nations League Finals, but they face an Austria side who will expect to cruise through Wednesday's fixture.
Franco Foda has watched his team win their last five matches for the loss of just two goals, while extra confidence would have been taken from their comeback success against Northern Ireland at the weekend.
Despite the visitors going ahead with 16 minutes remaining, goals from Louis Schaub and Adrian Grbic put Burschen on the brink of qualification for the final four.
That game also marked the return of Marko Arnautovic, who will be hoping for an opportunity in the starting lineup after providing the assist for the winner on Sunday.
Austria Nations League form: WLWWW
Austria form (all competitions): LWWWWW
Norway Nations League form: LWWW
Norway form (all competitions): WLWLWW
Team News
© Reuters
Foda could take the opportunity to rest David Alaba and Michael Gregoritsch, providing opportunities to Sunday's match-winners Schaub and Grbic.
That would leave Arnautovic facing another game among the replacements unless Marcel Sabitzer also drops down to the substitutes' bench.
As far as Norway are concerned, any player with international experience is likely to get the nod in the starting lineup.
That would mean appearances for Jorgen Skjelvik, Daehli, Fredrik Ulvestad, Ghayas Zahid and Veton Berisha.
Highly-regarded midfielder Hakon Evjen should be given his first senior start after coming through the nation's youth ranks.
Austria possible starting lineup:
Pervan; Lainer, Ranftl, Hinteregger, Ulmer; Baumgartlinger, Ilsanker; Schlager, Sabitzer, Schaub; Grbic
Norway possible starting lineup:
Bratveit; Vindheim, Granli, Gabrielsen, Skjelvik; Askildsen, Ulvestad, Evjen; Daehli, Zahid; Berisha
We say: Austria 3-0 Norway
Had Norway been able to name a full-strength side, we would have fancied a Norway win. However, this game should now be a walk in the park for the home side, who will hope that an early goal will end any hope of a miracle away victory.
