Austria v Northern Ireland tips: Could it be goodnight, Vienna for Norn Iron?

Both teams are looking to grab their first points of their Nations League campaign after being beaten by Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opening fixtures.

The last time the two sides met in 2005 David Healy led the line for the Irish and the Wigan Athletic cult-hero successfully marshalled the Austria defence to a 2-0 victory.

Fast-forward thirteen years and current top marksman Will Grigg will be trying to out-do Austria’s Sebastian Prodl.

Match odds

In the nine meetings between the two sides the Green and White Army have won four and drawn three.

However, their last win came in Euro 1996 qualification when current boss Michael O’Neill scored two goals to see off Austria 5-3.

After two successive defeats to tonight’s opponents, O’Neill may feel things have come full circle. Norn Iron have only lost twice in their last six games and are 11/2 to bag the win.

Austria have taken some scalps, notably beating Germany before the World Cup. They haven’t lost at home in their last eleven games and our traders put them at 6/10 for victory.

The draw is 13/5.

Talking Tactics

The visitors will be without Conor Washington, Kyle Lafferty and defender Gareth McAuley for the trip to the Austrian capital.

Craig Cathcart should partner Jonny Evans at the heart of the defence.

Paddy McNair’s versatility could see him play at the base of midfield three as O’Neil sets up in a 4-1-2-3 formation.

Grigg and Josh Magennis will be jostling for the number nine shirt, flanked by Stuart Dallas.

Austria played a 3-5-2 formation against Bosnia and gaffer Franco Foda has been very flexible with his tactics in recent months.

In the win over Russia back in May, a rigid back four gave a platform for a 4-2-3-1 formation. He switched this up in the victory over Sweden last month. Foda went for a 3-4-3.

The one redeeming feature of all his line ups. Marko Arnautovic.

Goalscoring odds

Arnautovic is the spear-head of the Burschen attack. The West Ham forward is 11/8 to net anytime.

Michael Gregoritsch is a versatile forward from Augsburg who could play in a three-pronged attack. He is 9/2 to be the first goalscorer.

Ireland’s Will Grigg to continue firing and net a double is 33/1.

Kyle Vassell could make his debut for the Green and Whites. He is 5/1 to score his first goal for his country.

The talented Paddy McNair has shown he can score all types of goals in the Championship. The former Manchester United youth is 10/1 to net anytime.

Match info:

When: 7:45pm

Where: Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna

How to watch: Sky Sports Football

Click here for more Austria v Northern Ireland odds

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing