Both aiming to lift the top-flight trophy by the end of the day, Sturm Graz and Wolfsberger clash at Merkur Arena on Saturday afternoon in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Die Schwoazn suffered a damaging defeat at the base of Rapid Vienna last time out, whilst WAC endured a difficult time at home versus Austria Vienna.
Match preview
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After a 13-year hiatus from the very summit of the Austrian game, Sturm Graz lifted the Bundesliga title during the 2023-24 campaign, and Saturday afternoon's hosts at Merkur Arena are now on a mission to win back-to-back domestic crowns for the first time since successful terms in 1998 and 1999.
Die Schwoazn kick-started their May schedule in sensational style - beating both BW Linz and Red Bull Salzburg by an aggregate scoreline of 5-2 - but they have since suffered a season-questioning defeat, with a brace from Bendeguz Bolla helping Rapid Vienna to victory last weekend.
Despite losing three of their last five top-flight matches ahead of Saturday's crunch clash against Wolfsberger, hosts Sturm Graz are sitting pretty in first place in the Austrian Bundesliga standings, knowing that they will win the title should they avoid defeat on matchday 32.
Tasting defeat on just two occasions across 15 league matches at Merkur Arena this season, Die Schwoazn should be relatively confident of getting the job done, but they have not been flawless at home over the last month, losing 1-0 to second-placed Austria Vienna on April 27.
Following the January departure of Danish marksman Mika Biereth to the riches of Monaco in Ligue 1, Georgian sensation Otar Kiteishvili has stepped up to the goalscoring plate for title hopefuls Sturm Graz, with the 29-year-old netting on three occasions in the championship group to date.
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Defeating Conference League-chasing Hartberg in the final of the Austrian Cup on the first day of May, Wolfsberger picked up their maiden piece of major silverware, with Saturday afternoon's visitors to Merkur Arena looking to make it a historic double success during the 2024-25 campaign.
WAC could have been in the driving seat over Sturm Graz and Austria Vienna heading into the final day of the season, but Dietmar Kuhbauer's troops saw an end to their 10-game unbeaten streak on Saturday afternoon, when Die Veilchen came out on top at Lavanttal Arena.
After suffering their first defeat since the middle of March last time out, Wolfsberger are currently occupying third spot in the championship group, requiring a win on Saturday afternoon and second-placed Austria Vienna to drop points on the same day in order to win the Bundesliga.
Undoubtedly a tough ask, WAC will take confidence from their recent record against Sturm Graz, who are winless across their three meetings in the Bundesliga this season, a spell which includes a 3-0 defeat for Die Schwoazn at Merkur Arena in this fixture during September.
Following years of learning his trade in native Serbia, Dejan Zukic is shining like a star in the Austrian Bundesliga for Wolfsberger, with the 24-year-old netting 10 times and providing seven assists this term, meaning that he leads both his side's goalscoring and playmaking charts.
Team News
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After suffering a serious knee injury during the 2023-24 term, Sturm Graz defender Alexandar Borkovic has made a welcome return to first-team training.
Die Schwoazn remain without the services of Bristol loanee Fally Mayulu (muscle), who has managed just two appearances since his temporary switch from the English Championship.
The hosts' options in attack are reduced further by the absence of Seedy Jatta, with the 22-year-old Norwegian battling against an ankle problem.
A similar case to that of Sturm's Borkovic, centre-back Jonathan Scherzer has played just three games for Wolfsberger this term owing to a major knee issue.
Scoring off the bench versus Austria Vienna last time out, Ervin Omic should start for the visitors on Saturday, potentially at the expense of Emmanuel Agyemang.
Sturm Graz possible starting lineup:
Scherpen; Johnston, Aiwu, Wuthrich, Lavalee; Horvat, Gorenc-Stankovic, Yalcouye, Kiteishvili; Grgic, Camara
Wolfsberger possible starting lineup:
Polster; Baumgartner, Nwaiwu, Wimmer; Matic, Piesinger, Zukic, Ullmann; Omic, Pink, Ballo
We say: Sturm Graz 3-1 Wolfsberger
An avoidance of defeat will bring a second straight Bundesliga title for Sturm Graz, who are targeting another campaign in the Champions League.
Wolfsberger have already made history with their Austrian Cup success earlier in the month, and we feel that Saturday afternoon will prove one step too far for the underdogs in this thrilling title race.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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Carter White
