Nations League | League B

Nov 14, 2024 at 3pm UK

Astana Arena

Kazakhstan vs. Austria

Match preview

After a bit of a rough patch following Euro 2024, Austria bounced back with two wins and nine goals last month, putting them in the running for Group 3's top spot with two games left.

Ralf Rangnick's team only managed to take one point from two away games in September, so they were under pressure to perform when Kazakhstan came to Linz.

Christoph Baumgartner put the Austrians ahead early on, and two goals in three second-half minutes from Philipp Lienhart and Marcel Sabitzer made sure of the result. Matthias Seidl made it 4-0 to the hosts, setting them up nicely for a showdown with Norway three days later.

Austria really made the most of that momentum, with veteran striker Marko Arnautovic scoring two goals on the way to a great 5-1 win over their Nordic opponents, who they now sit alongside on seven points.

After being relegated last time around and making an impact at the Euros, Das Team is now aiming to make an instant return to Europe's top tier.

Before Sunday's big game at home against Slovenia, they can make their case even stronger for a first-place finish, which would guarantee automatic entry into League A. Second place gets them into the playoffs.

On top of that, Kazakhstan haven't beaten Austria in a UEFA competition match since then, losing three out of the last five meetings without scoring a single goal.

It's been a tough start to the Nations League for the Hawks, who've yet to find the back of the net in four matches. They've only picked up one point so far.

Last month, the Kazakhs followed their 5-1 defeat by Austria with a 1-0 loss to Slovenia, putting them well behind the top three in Group 3.

It looks like relegation back down to League C is all but confirmed. Unless they beat Austria in Almaty, it will be signed and sealed before the final matchday.

Stanislav Cherchesov's side had already won six out of 10 games during Euro 2024 qualification, having just been promoted in the Nations League. However, a home draw against Norway has meant they've only got one point in this highly competitive group.

Recent Performance

Kazakhstan Nations League form:DLLL

Kazakhstan form (all competitions):LLDLLL

Austria Nations League form:DLWW

Austria form (all competitions):WLDLWW

Team New

Ralf Rangnick had to think on his feet when picking his back four last month, but only captain David Alaba is out of action for Austria's final Group 3 games.

Lens centre-back Kevin Danso and Leeds United's Maximilian Wober are now available to play, with the latter called up despite only just returning to full training after a serious knee injury.

Veteran forward Andreas Weimann scored twice for Blackburn Rovers in the Championship last weekend, and he'll be competing with several players, including Junior Adamu and Michael Gregoritsch, to support Marko Arnautovic, who's been used sparingly by Inter Milan, up front.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan coach Stanislav Cherchesov has picked a 27-man squad for this month's Nations League camp, led by captain and midfield mainstay Askhat Tagybergen.

As the search for a crucial goal continues, all-time top scorer Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov – who plays for Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig – should link up with another Turkish player, Adana Demirspor's Abat Aymbetov, in the final third.

It looks like Astana trio Aleksandr Marochkin, Yan Vorogovskiy and Marat Bystrov will be joining Zenit St Petersburg's Nuraly Alip in defence.

Possible starting lineup

Kazakhstan possible starting lineup:

Shatskiy; Bystrov, Alip, Marochkin, Vorogovskiy; Tagybergen, Darabayev; Zaynutdinov, Islamkhan, Samorodov; Aymbetov

Austria possible starting lineup:

Pentz; Posch, Danso, Lienhart, Mwene; Seiwald, Laimer; Schmid, Baumgartner, Sabitzer; Arnautovic