Poland vs Austria Preview & Prediction | UEFA EURO 2024 | Group Stage
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Poland went into the tournament on the back of a really poor qualifying campaign but an impressive performance against the Netherlands will give them renewed hope as they take on an Austrian side that will be expecting to make the knockout stages.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 21st June, 2024 - UK – 5:00pm / US EST – 12:00pm / US PST – 10:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – ITV / US – FOX
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – ITVX / US – VIX
POLAND PREVIEW: NOT ALL ABOUT THE BIG MAN
As mentioned, Poland endured a really difficult qualifying campaign and that led to Michal Probierz replacing Fernando Santos as their coach but that was not represented in their opening match against the Netherlands. They took an early lead in Hamburg via an Adam Buksa header from a set-piece and showed real signs of energy and incision in the final third.
Their lead was short lived, though, with Cody Gakpo scoring an equalising goal from the edge of the box with the aid of a massive deflection before Wout Weghorst’s late winner gave the Dutch all three points. Poland, though, as they potentially welcome back Robert Lewandowski, will have a bit more confidence about themselves.
AUSTRIA PREVIEW: THE SO-CALLED ‘DARK HORSES’
The Austrians entered the tournament as one of a few picks by many as the so-called ‘dark horses’ and their enterprising and energetic performance against France on Monday showed glimpses of what they are capable of. They had an excellent opportunity mid-way through the first-half with Christoph Baumgartner but soon suffered a sucker punch when Max Wober head into his own goal.
France probably continued to have the more clear cut chances in the match, most notably via Kylian Mbappe, but Austria maintained a level of endeavour that will also give them confidence as they head into their final two matches against Poland and the Netherlands. The only concern for Austria would be the amount of pressing they do could lead to exhaustion at some point.
POLAND TEAM NEWS: THE RETURN OF LEWA
The big talking point from a Polish perspective would be the return of their talismanic captain and all-time top scorer Robert Lewandowski. The Barcelona forward was ruled out of their opener against the Dutch but is expected to return with the decision for Probierz being between goal scorer against the Netherlands Adam Buksa or Kacper Urbanski to partner him.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Szczesny; Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior; Frankowski, Moder, Romanczuk, Zalewski; Zielinski; Urbanski, Lewandowski
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Lewandowski (Injured)
AUSTRIA TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT BUT EXHAUSTION A QUESTION
Ralf Rangnick has no injury concerns or suspension issues as the Austrians take on Poland in this one but there is still expected to be a change. Patrick Wimmer is expected to start and form a more familiar 4-2-2-2 after a more conservative approach by Rangnick against the French in which Romano Schmid got the nod in their opener.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-2-2): Pentz; Posch, Danso, Wober, Mwene; Seiwald, Laimer; Wimmer, Sabitzer; Baumgartner, Gregoritsch
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
KEY STATS
- Poland are unbeaten in their last five matches against Austria (W3 D2). Austria’s last victory against Poland was a 4-3 win away from home in a friendly in May 1995.
- The only previous EURO final tournament match between Poland and Austria finished 1-1 in the EURO 2008 group stage. Ivica Vastić's late penalty rescued a point for Austria against a Poland side who had had taken the lead in the first-half through Roger Guerreiro.
- Excluding penalty shoot-outs, Poland have won only two of their previous 15 EURO matches (D7 L6). Their most recent victory was a 1-0 win against Ukraine in their last group match at EURO 2016.
- Poland have drawn their second match in each of their previous four EURO appearances.
- Poland have scored in each of their last seven EURO matches.
- Poland have been winning at half-time in only one of their last 11 EURO matches.
- Poland have scored the first goal in six of their last seven international matches.
- Poland’s defeat against the Netherlands is their only loss in their last nine international matches (W5 D3).
- Poland have scored more than one goal in only one of their previous 15 EURO matches.
- Only one of Poland’s previous 15 EURO matches finished without a goal being scored. That was a 0-0 draw against Germany in the group stage at EURO 2016.
- An appearance for Robert Lewandowski would make him the second player to make an appearance for Poland in four EURO final tournaments, after Wojciech Szczęsny who achieved the feat against the Netherlands in Poland’s opening match at EURO 2024.
- Austria have won only two of their previous 11 EURO matches (D2 L7).
- Austria have never started a EURO group stage with two successive defeats.
- The 1-0 loss against France in their opening game was only Austria’s second defeat in their last 17 matches (W12 D3).
- Prior to their 1-0 defeat against France, Austria had not failed to score in their last 17 matches.
- Austria have been winning at half-time in only one of their previous 11 EURO matches.
POLAND VS AUSTRIA PREDICTION
Poland showed signs of life but the worry will be that they fall into the Cristiano Ronaldo paradox of being reliant on their striker, Robert Lewandowski, for goals and that actually meaning their overall attacking play becomes predictable and funnelled to and through him. Austria, on the other hand, have over arching tactical principles that could see them blow a team away. The way in which they attacked, without end product, against France will be a concern for Poland and Austria should get a win to put the pressure on the French and Dutch in Group D.
POLAND VS AUSTRIA TIP: AUSTRIA TO WIN
