Prediction: England vs Austria

Verdict: England win & under five goals

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Unibet

Desperate to keep the mood in their camp at a high heading into this summer’s European Championships, England will welcome Austria to Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Wednesday night.

England

Starting with the hosts, after enduring what was a sluggish run in their Nations League campaign last year, England would have at least been glad to put their 2-0 defeat away in Belgium back in November behind them. With many tipping The Three Lions as one of the standout picks heading into this summer’s European Championships, Gareth Southgate’s squad opened up their World Cup qualifying campaign with three wins on the bounce. Despite struggling to find top form last time out against a gritty Poland side at Wembley on March 31st, The Whites did land themselves a crucial 2-1 victory and they are desperate to keep their momentum at a real high. In a squad that is stacked with talent, Southgate should also be boosted by his side’s continued success on home soil. Opening up this summer’s tournament as the hosts, England have won 13 of their last 14 home fixtures on the spin, with a 1-0 loss against Denmark eight months ago the only blip on their run.

Team News

Still suffering with an ankle injury, Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has not been included in this squad and will not feature in any of England’s pre-tournament friendlies.

With the likes of Phil Foden, Mason Mount, John Stones, Reece James, Kyle Walker and Raheem Sterling featuring in Saturday’s Champions League final, they should all be handed an extra rest in midweek.

Austria

As for the visitors, ahead of opening this summer’s European Championships against North Macedonia on June 13th, Burschen are a nation that are really seeking some stability. Despite enjoying what was an eye-catching run in last year’s Nations League that saw them land a spot in League A for the next time around, Head Coach Franco Foda has seen his squad show some real issues over the past eight months. Only managing to open their World Cup qualifying campaign with an action-packed 2-2 draw against Scotland on foreign soil, Austria were last seen putting in a hugely concerning display in Wein. Failing to build off of their expected 3-1 victory against the Faroe Islands, Wednesday’s guests were hit with a dreadful 4-0 drumming against Denmark on home soil, a result that certainly saw them come under real scrutiny. Mustering just a single victory from any of their last four straight contests, there is no doubt that Foda’s squad face another stern test when they travel to the North East in midweek.

Team News

Suffering from a thigh injury, former Stoke and West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic will not feature on Wednesday night.

In another attacking blow for Austria, Mainz striker Karim Onisiwo also looks set to miss out after limping out of training.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two nations last faced off in a friendly contest back in 2007, England landed a 1-0 victory.
• The Three Lions have won 13 of their last 14 fixtures on home soil.
• Including a 4-0 drumming against Denmark last time out, Austria have recorded just a single win in their last four matchups.
• Each of Austria’s last four matchups across all formats have finished with over 2.5 goals.
• England skipper Harry Kane bagged himself 35 goals for club and country this season.

Conclusion

Bouncing back from their defeat out in Belgium last year and opening their World Cup qualifying campaign with three wins on the bounce, England are simply looking to keep the mood in their camp at a real high. With many across Europe tipping them as one of the standout picks heading into the summer, Gareth Southgate should be confident of his side doing their job in midweek. Despite a number of the Champions League finalists set to miss out in the North East, England have a star-studded squad still fighting for their spot. Up against an Austria side who were last seen getting hit with a 4-0 drumming at the hands of Denmark, Wednesday’s guests have struggled to find much stability. With just a single win from any of their last four matchups across all formats, we’re backing The Three Lions to gain some perfect momentum at the Riverside.

Verdict: England win & under five goals

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Unibet