Austria vs Israel Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

Featured Offer

bet365

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets

Claim Offer →

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org #ad

Austria

vs

Israel

KickoffThursday 24 September 2026, 7:45pm

VenueErnst-Happel-Stadion

CompetitionUEFA Nations League

Austria kick off their 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign with a home fixture that they will be fully expected to win, but there is more riding on this than just three points. Ralf Rangnick has his eye on the bigger picture, and a sharp start in Group 3 sets the tone for everything that follows, including a shot at Euro 2028 qualification. For Israel, meanwhile, this is a chance to prove they belong at this level after a Nations League campaign in League B that saw them finish rock bottom last time around. The gap between these two sides on paper is significant, but Israel will not be travelling to Linz simply to make up the numbers.

Austria vs Israel Match Details

The two sides meet at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz for the opening fixture of UEFA Nations League League B Group 3. It is a group that also contains Kosovo and the Republic of Ireland, so every point from the off matters if Austria want to push for promotion to League A. For Israel, the group represents a genuine chance to climb back up the ladder after recent relegation, and getting something from this opener would be a real statement of intent.

Team News

Rangnick has had to deal with some notable absences heading into this campaign. Austria are without several of their most recognisable names, either through retirement, personal choice, or injury.

• Marko Arnautovic has retired from international football, ending his stint as Austria’s all time top scorer
• Marcel Sabitzer is taking a break from national team duty
• Captain David Alaba is not involved, currently without a club
• Konrad Laimer is sidelined with an adductor problem
• Rangnick has called up seven uncapped players to freshen things up

Israel are also dealing with defensive injuries that will limit Ran Ben Shimon’s options at the back.

• Stav Lemkin is ruled out through injury
• Itay Rotman is unavailable
• Or Blorian also misses out
• Dor Turgeman and Tai Baribo compete for the central striking role
• Oscar Gloukh of Ajax is expected to start in the attacking midfield area

Predicted Lineups

Austria look set to line up with Alexander Schlager in goal behind a back four of Stefan Posch, Phillipp Lienhart, Kevin Danso and Phillipp Mwene. Patrick Siewald and Xaver Schlager are expected to anchor the midfield, with Wanner, Schmid and Wimmer providing creativity and width ahead of them. The central striking berth is the key question, with Sasa Kalajdzic on home turf at Linz giving him a sentimental edge, though Michael Gregoritsch could get the nod.

Israel are likely to set up with Daniel Peretz in goal and a back four built around Dasa, Feingold, Shlomo and Revivo. Abu Fani and Dor Peretz should form the central midfield partnership, with Abada, Gloukh and Solomon operating across the attacking midfield positions. Turgeman is the slight favourite to lead the line up top, though Baribo could come in from the start depending on the shape Ben Shimon wants to employ.

Recent Form

Austria go into this match on the back of an outstanding stretch of results. They topped their World Cup qualifying group with six wins from eight, a goal difference of plus 18, and then went to North America and made it through the group stage of the tournament itself. They beat Jordan, held Algeria in a dramatic draw and then pushed eventual champions Spain before going out in the last 32. That is not a side in poor form. That is a side building genuine momentum and playing with a clear identity under Rangnick.

The concern, if there is one, is the transition happening in the squad right now. Losing Arnautovic, Sabitzer and Alaba from the setup at the same time is a significant shift. Rangnick has responded by bringing in fresh faces, and this Nations League opener is the first chance to see how that new generation settles in. Austria were one of the top scorers in League B during the previous edition of this competition, so goals have never been a problem. The question is whether the new personnel can pick up where the old guard left off.

Israel’s form is more mixed. Four games without defeat sounds decent on the surface, but they have only won two of their last seven across all competitions. Their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup ended in disappointment, finishing third in their group behind Norway and Italy and missing out on the playoffs. A 2 to 2 draw with Georgia and a 1 to 0 win over Albania in summer friendlies suggests they are not short of heart, but they need more consistency at this level to seriously challenge the teams above them.

Head-to-Head Record

The head to head record here firmly favours Austria, and more specifically it favours Austria at home. The two sides have met in qualifying for both Euro 2020 and the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and on both occasions Israel came to Austria and left empty handed. Across those two home fixtures, Austria scored seven goals and conceded a very small number in return. Marko Arnautovic got himself on the scoresheet in the most recent meeting in November 2021, as did Dor Peretz for the visitors, but the result went Austria’s way comfortably.

There is a clear pattern here. Israel can cause problems on the counter and they have enough quality in the final third to create chances, but they have consistently been overrun when visiting a well organised, attack minded Austria side. There is little in the historical record to suggest that changes this time around.

Key Stats

• Austria were among the top three scorers in League B in the previous Nations League cycle, highlighting their attacking output at this level
• Israel finished bottom of their League B group last time out, winning just once in six matches
• In the two home qualifying meetings between these sides across the last two international cycles, Austria conceded just once while scoring seven goals at home to Israel

Austria vs Israel Betting Tips

Austria are the obvious side to be on here, and the data backs that up strongly. The home advantage is real, the squad quality gap is significant, and Israel are coming into this fixture with a weakened defensive unit and patchy recent form. The interesting angles are around how the game plays out rather than who wins it.

First Goalscorer Prediction

Sasa Kalajdzic gets the nod here. Playing at his home ground in Linz and leading the line in the absence of Arnautovic, the LASK striker has every reason to be motivated. He is a physical presence, good in the air, and Austria’s setup will get plenty of crosses and chances into the box. He looks well priced as a first goalscorer in a game where Austria should be dominant from early on.

Corners Prediction

Austria press high and attack with width, which tends to generate corners in volume. Israel will spend a lot of this game defending and may nick a few on the break, but the vast majority of set piece opportunities should fall to the home side. Over 9.5 corners looks a solid call given Austria’s attacking style and the likely shape of this game.

Over and Under Goals Prediction

Austria have been free scoring for the last two years, and Israel’s defensive injury problems make them particularly vulnerable. With Lemkin, Rotman and Blorian all missing from the back line, the hosts should find plenty of joy. Over 2.5 goals is the play here, and you would not be surprised if it went well beyond that.

Correct Score Prediction

A 3 to 1 scoreline feels about right for this one. Austria should dominate proceedings and score at will against a depleted Israel defence, but the visitors have enough going forward through Gloukh, Dor Peretz and whoever leads the line to nick a goal. It has the look of a comfortable home win with a bit of a consolation at the end.

Both Teams To Score (BTTS) Prediction

Yes is the call. Israel are not just turning up to defend. They have genuine creative players in Gloukh and Dor Peretz, and their attacking options through Turgeman or Baribo give them a threat even on limited possession. Austria will score, that is near certain, but Israel have enough to get themselves on the board too.

Cards Prediction

Israel are likely to spend a lot of time chasing the game and defending under pressure, which tends to bring the fouls. A game where Austria are dominant and Israel are forced to work hard defensively with a young and reshuffled back line is the kind of fixture that typically produces four or five bookings across both sides. Over 3.5 cards is worth considering, with Israel’s defenders likely to pick up a couple as they try to cope with Austria’s forward runs.

Bet Builder Tip

Austria’s attacking quality makes a home win almost certain, and combining that with both teams scoring and a high goal total reflects exactly how this fixture sets up based on form, history and the depleted Israel defence.

Final Match Prediction

Austria win this, and they win it comfortably. The combination of home advantage, superior squad quality, a free scoring recent record and an Israel side missing three of their regular defenders makes this about as clear a home victory as you will find in this Nations League round. Rangnick’s new look squad has a point to prove, and a home opener against a side ranked 76th in the world is the perfect place to start.

The scoreline to go with is Austria 3 to 1 Israel. The hosts should put this to bed before the hour mark, with Israel’s creative players getting enough of the ball to threaten and ultimately pull one back late on. Three points on the board and a statement made in Group 3 before the campaign has barely started.

Featured Offer

bet365

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets

Claim Offer →

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org #ad