Rep. Of Ireland vs Austria — Tips & Analysis

Under 2.5: Both teams are missing the players who score their goals, and that is the best reason to expect a quiet night. Austria are without David Alaba and Christoph Baumgartner, and Kevin Danso is suspended. Ireland have it worse. Nathan Collins, Evan Ferguson, Mikey Johnston, Josh Cullen, Jack Taylor and Jamie McGrath are all out, which strips away most of their attacking threat. Ireland have not lost at the Aviva in this run, with 4 wins and a tie from five games. They let in less than a goal a game there. They beat Portugal 2-0 in that run. Austria look a different team away from home. They score 3 goals a game at home but only just over a goal on the road, where they have won 3, tied 1 and lost 4. They let in more than a goal a game in those away games too. These two also keep it tight with each other. The last two meetings finished 1-1 and 1-0, both low on goals. Ireland will be happy with a slow, physical night, and a 1-1 is the most likely score. That is exactly where we want it. The risk is a late scramble. Ireland are third in the group and in danger of dropping down, so they may throw bodies forward in the last twenty minutes. Austria's games have averaged more than 3 goals in total as well. We still want the low-scoring game.