Austria vs Israel — Tips & Analysis

Israel +1.5: The case here is simple. Austria are strong at home, but they do not win big very often. They have won by 2 or more goals in just 5 of their last 16 games. Austria have not lost any of their last 7 home games, winning 4 and tying 3, and they score almost 3 goals a game there. That is a good side, but it is a half new one. Ralf Rangnick has called up seven uncapped players for this window, so the starting team is part experiment. Israel are weaker and let in more than 2 goals a game, so they will be pinned back for long spells. They do score, though. Israel get almost 2 goals a game themselves, and 12 of their last 14 games had 3 or more goals in them. These two have never played a quiet game, with the four on record averaging almost 6 goals. So we expect Austria to win a match they never quite put to bed, with Israel getting on the board. A 2-1 Austria win is the read, and Israel staying within a goal is what this pick needs. The risk is a rout. Israel have lost by 2 or more in 6 of their last 14 games, and an Austria front line that clicks early could pull clear. We will take Israel to keep this close.