Austria vs Kosovo — Tips & Analysis

Kosovo +1: Kosovo do not get beaten heavily. They have lost by 2 or more goals in only 2 of their last 16 games, and that is the heart of this pick. Austria are not built to change that right now. They are missing David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer and Florian Grillitsch, and Marko Arnautovic has retired. Austria have won 8, tied 4 and lost 4 of their last 16, but they have won by 2 or more in only 5 of them. They score more than 2 goals a game, though a 10-0 win over San Marino does most of that work. They were also comfortably outplayed at the World Cup. Kosovo are in good form. They have won 11 of their last 16 and are 6W-0D-2L on the road, scoring 2 goals a game away from home. They let in under a goal a game and opened this group by beating Ireland 1-0. Both sides won on matchday one and sit level at the top, so neither will throw caution to the wind early. A 1-1 is the most likely ending, and Kosovo staying close is exactly what this pick needs. The worry is Vienna. Austria are unbeaten at home in eight games, 5W-3D-0L, and they let in under a goal a game there. Both squads also played 3 days ago, so tired legs and changed teams are possible. We still think Kosovo hold their own.