Wales v Austria predictions: In-form Arnautovic can play a starring role

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Wales v Austria in the World Cup playoffs on Thursday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & S4C, 7.45pm Tuesday

Best bet

Marko Arnautovic first goalscorer
1pt each-way 7-1 bet365

Team news

Wales
Gareth Bale hopes to play despite a reported back problem. Keeper Danny Ward plus Kieffer Moore, Tyler Roberts and David Brooks are out.

Austria
Florian Grillitsch is a big miss in midfield. Julian Baumgartlinger hasn't been picked after a long lay-off.

Match preview

Wales stand just two games away from a first World Cup finals since 1958 and they'll be confident in fortress Cardiff that they can tick off the first of those challenges against Austria.

Rob Page's men were more than content when the draw for the playoffs took place in November, pairing them with a nation below them in the world rankings and who only qualified via a Nations League success having made a mess of their World Cup qualifying group.

Yet despite that, and in spite of the fact that Wales are unbeaten at home in more than three years, bookmakers are struggling to split the pair of them in a match where the draw is less than 2-1 in places.

It's priced up to be tight and it does look a tough one to call with cases to be made for both teams, although no argument is overly compelling.

Wales under Page have got to be pleased with their form. Since back-to-back losses at the hands of Italy and Denmark in last summer's Euros they have gone unbeaten in seven, a run that included draws against the Czechs and Belgium to assure they finished second behind the Belgians in their qualifying group.

Austria, in contrast, endured a wretched campaign. They were sent off second-favourites in a group where Denmark were the best team, yet they eventually trailed home fourth behind Scotland and Israel, who both beat Foda's team in a chastening double-header in September.

They did avenge that loss over Israel by beating them 4-2 in November but by then it was too late and they have required a backdoor permit into these playoffs.

While it's easy to be critical of their autumn campaign, it's also to be remembered that this was a side who beat Ukraine in the Euros and gave the victorious Italians a run for their money in the last 16, going down 2-1 in extra-time at Wembley.

And Foda has travelled strong. Florian Grillitsch, the Hoffenheim midfielder is a miss through Covid, but their defence, featuring class acts Martin Hinteregger and David Alaba, is intact, while Christoph Baumgartner, Marco Grull and Sasa Kalajdzic are a number of younger players starting to blossom.

Probably six of Foda's starting 11 will be regulars in Germany's top flight, and that doesn't include their biggest star of all, Alaba, now at Real Madrid.

Another of their big stars is Marko Arnautovic, who bet365 are dangling out there at 7-1 to open the scoring. That looks a generous price for a penalty-taking centre-forward, who has bagged nine for Bologna in Serie A this season and is on course for his most prolific season ever.

The ex-West Ham man may well plough a lone furrow at the tip of a four although it's possible he will be paired with Kalajdzic.

Austria will look to dominate the ball, assume control and avoid Welsh counter-attacks - Wales will look to Gareth Bale.

He missed El Clasico at the weekend because of an injury that seems to have mysteriously cleared up judging by photos taking at training as, once again, Bale prepares to give everything to his country's cause.

Still the talisman, he will be able supported by Aaron Ramsey – also fit for a change – and Daniel James with pace on the break a key weapon for the host side.

Key stat

Wales are unbeaten in their last 15 home matches, dating back to November 2018.

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