Serbia and Austria square off in the second leg of their UEFA Nations League playoff when they meet in Belgrade on Sunday evening.
The fixture to determine who will feature in League A during the next edition is currently locked at 1-1 on aggregate after Thursday's stalemate in Vienna.
Match preview
© Imago
Having only finished in third place in a group featuring Spain, Denmark and Switzerland, Serbia have been left to battle for their League A status through this route.
Meanwhile, Austria missed out by two points to Norway in their League B group, subsequently resulting in an evenly-matched tie being drawn out for the playoffs.
That perception was emphasised by a 1-1 draw being played out on Thursday, Lazar Samardzic netting a second-half equaliser for Serbia after Michael Gregoritsch had initially given Austria the lead in the 37th minute.
Attention will soon turn to their respective World Cup qualifying groups - Serbia having to play catch-up fixtures-wise to England courtesy of their involvement here - but there will be a real desire to ensure that they stay in the top tier.
Dragan Stojkovic has remained at the helm despite what can only be described as one of their worst periods of form in recent years, just five wins being recorded during a 21-match stretch.
© Imago
Serbia's most notable competitive triumph during that time was a 2-0 win at home to Switzerland, yet some context is required when eight draws have also been posted.
Three goalless draws with the likes of Spain and Denmark can be included in that stretch, yet Serbia enter this fixture having prevailed in only one of their most recent 10 games.
In sharp contrast, Austria have been one of the most improved European nations under Ralf Rangnick, winning 19 of their 34 games since his appointment in 2022.
Just four defeats have come in 27 games - all by one-goal margins - but the 2-1 loss to Norway in September ultimately proved decisive in their League B group.
A five-game unbeaten stretch has since been put together, including a 5-1 triumph over Norway in the reverse game, but Austria have only won one of their last three away fixtures.
Team News
© Imago
Stojkovic will be able to call upon an array of players after suspension with Nikola Milenkovic, Strahinja Pavlovic, Aleksa Terzic and Andrija Zivkovic all available for selection.
Luka Jovic's fitness will be assessed. His 68-minute appearance on Thursday marked the first time that he had played longer than 45 minutes in a single match since September.
Mihajlo Cvetkovic could get the nod if the AC Milan forward drops down to the substitutes' bench.
Alterations are also expected to be few and far between with the Austria XI if 35-year-old Marko Arnautovic is kept down the centre of the attack.
Konrad Laimer will also certainly return in midfield after serving a one-match ban.
Serbia possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Gudelj, Milenkovic, Pavlovic; Zivkovic, Maksimovic, Lukic, Terzic; Samardzic; Vlahovic, Cvetkovic
Austria possible starting lineup:
Schlager; Wimmer, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene; Seiwald, Laimer; Schmid, Gregoritsch, Baumgartner; Arnautovic
We say: Serbia 2-1 Austria (Serbia to win 3-2 on aggregate)
While there is much to like about Austria under Rangnick, they may feel that they have missed out by only earning a share of the spoils on Thursday. Serbia are now the favourites to retain their spot in League A, and we think they will do enough to edge this contest in the closing stages.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
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