Belatedly kicking off their World Cup qualifying campaign, Austria will welcome Romania to Vienna on Saturday.

Now seeking a successful start to Group H, the hosts were taking part in the UEFA Nations League playoffs in March, when their Romanian rivals took three points from two games.

Match preview

After finishing second in their latest Nations League group, Austria had the chance to join Europe's elite via a springtime playoff with Serbia, but they ultimately lost 3-1 on aggregate.

Unbeaten at home during the group phase - recording big wins over Norway and Kazakhstan, and drawing with Slovenia - the Austrians then drew 1-1 at Ernst-Happel-Stadion before suffering a 2-0 defeat in Belgrade.

They may remain in League B of UEFA's newest international competition, but Ralf Rangnick's priority is, of course, qualifying for the next World Cup.

Since making it through to France '98, Austria have failed to reach a global finals, so pressure is on their experienced head coach to finally end that drought.

His reign started well, and there were flashes of potential apparent at Euro 2024, but they already trail Group H leaders Bosnia-Herzegovina by six points - and Saturday's visitors by three.

Romania have twice met Austria in World Cup qualifying, taking one point from two clashes on the road to South Africa 2010. Their most recent encounters came in the Nations League nearly five years ago, when the Tricolorii won 3-2 in Vienna before losing 1-0 on home turf.

After a disappointing start to their latest World Cup qualifying campaign, the Romanians cannot afford to many more drop points if they are to contend for top spot. Only the first-placed finisher will head straight for next summer's finals, with group runners-up facing the more hazardous playoff route.

Having impressed at the Euros before racking up six straight wins in the Nations League, Mircea Lucescu's side were surprisingly beaten at home by Bosnia on matchday one, before crushing group minnows San Marino 5-1 in Serravalle.

Romania are therefore playing catch up, as they try to qualify for a first World Cup this century, and allowing Austria to pull level on points could prove costly.

If they can instead take something from Saturday's game before winning at home to Cyprus, that would make the perfect birthday present for Lucescu, who turns 80 next month.

Austria form (all competitions):

Romania World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:

Romania form (all competitions):

Team News

In addition to the ongoing absence of captain David Alaba, who continues his recovery from a meniscus tear, Austria will be without two starters from their most recent outing.

Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager is sidelined by a wrist injury, while Feyenoord defender Gernot Trauner must sit out Saturday's game due to suspension, having been sent off in Serbia.

In better news for Ralf Rangnick, who has called up several uncapped players such as Tobias Lawal and Nicolas Schmid, tough-tackling midfielder Xaver Schlager has overcome a thigh problem.

While Michael Gregoritsch should beat veteran striker Marko Arnautovic to selection up front for the hosts, Romania's attack is usually led by Denis Dragus.

Britain-based stars Radu Dragusin and Ianis Hagi both miss out - the former is still injured; Hagi has been released by Rangers - but Parma winger Valentin Mihaila returns after missing the Tricolorii's March camp through injury.

Captain Nicolae Stanciu, who has just agreed to join Dragusin's former club Genoa, should start in a three-man midfield, with Mircea Lucescu preferring a 4-3-3 formation.

Austria possible starting lineup: Pentz; Posch, Danso, Lienhart, Mwene; Seiwald, Grillitsch; R. Schmid, Baumgartner, Sabitzer; Arnautovic

Romania possible starting lineup: Nita; Ratiu, Popescu, Burca, Bancu; R. Marin, M. Marin, Stanciu; Man, Dragus, Coman

We say: Austria 2-1 Romania

Hard to beat on home soil, Austria are set to start their Group H campaign with a win over direct rivals for automatic qualification.

The hosts have an abundance of options in midfield and usually make life tough for most opponents; that could unsettle Romania, who are already under pressure after slipping up at home to Bosnia.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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