Austria and Israel will meet at Raiffeisen Arena in Linz on Thursday evening, as both sides begin their 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign.
Austria returns to action after reaching the knockout stage of the World Cup, while Israel is looking to build on a four-game unbeaten run.
Verdict: Austria to win
Best odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: 1xBet
Austria
Austria comes into this Nations League campaign after a solid World Cup run.
They beat Jordan 3-1 and drew 3-3 with Algeria to get through the group stage before losing 3-0 to eventual champion Spain in the round of 32.
That tournament showed both sides of this team. Austria can press aggressively, attack with numbers and score goals, but they can also leave space when the first line of pressure is beaten.
Against Israel, the match setup should suit them much better. Austria is at home, they should have more of the ball and Israel comes into the game with several defensive absences.
Ralf Rangnick has also started changing the squad. Several experienced players are missing, and seven uncapped players have been called up. That adds some uncertainty, but Austria still has enough quality to control this match.
The key will be playing quickly. Israel is likely to defend deeper, so Austria cannot spend too much time moving the ball slowly around the back. If they increase the tempo and attack the box early, they should create enough chances.
Austria Team News
Marko Arnautovic has retired from international football, so Austria has to move on without their all-time leading scorer.
Marcel Sabitzer is taking a break from international duty, while David Alaba has not been selected. Konrad Laimer is also unavailable because of an adductor injury.
That removes a lot of experience, especially through the middle.
Sasa Kalajdzic could benefit from the changes. The LASK striker is pushing to start up front at his home ground, although Michael Gregoritsch and Junior Adamu are also options.
Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager should give Austria control in midfield, while Romano Schmid, Paul Wanner and Patrick Wimmer are competing for attacking roles behind the striker.
Israel
Israel comes into the match with better recent results than their World Cup qualifying campaign suggests.
They drew 2-2 with Georgia and beat Albania 1-0 in summer friendlies, extending their unbeaten run to four matches.
Still, they have won only two of their last seven games, and this is a much harder test.
Israel finished third behind Norway and Italy in World Cup qualifying and missed the tournament. They also struggled badly in the previous Nations League campaign, winning only one of six matches before being relegated from League A.
The attacking talent is better than those results suggest. Manor Solomon, Oscar Gloukh and Dor Peretz can all create problems, while Dor Turgeman and Tai Baribo give Ran Ben Shimon different options up front.
The bigger concern is defense. Israel is missing three defenders, and Austria should spend a lot of time attacking around their penalty area.
If Israel tries to play too openly, Austria can punish them. Their better route is to stay compact, slow the game down and use Solomon and Gloukh when they win the ball.
Israel Team News
Stav Lemkin, Itay Rotman and Or Blorian are all unavailable because of injury.
That leaves Ran Ben Shimon with changes to make across the defensive line before facing one of the stronger attacks in League B.
Eli Dasa should provide experience at right-back, while Roy Revivo is expected to start on the opposite side.
Dor Peretz should have an important role in midfield. Israel needs him to help defensively but also move the ball forward quickly when Austria loses possession.
Oscar Gloukh and Manor Solomon should both start in attacking positions.
Dor Turgeman is expected to compete with Tai Baribo for the central striker role.
Austria vs Israel key factors to consider
- Austria reached the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.
- Austria scored six goals across their three World Cup group matches.
- Israel missed the World Cup after finishing third in their qualifying group.
- Israel is unbeaten in their last four matches.
- Austria won their last two home meetings with Israel.
- Marko Arnautovic has retired from international football.
- David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer are also unavailable for Austria.
- Israel is without defenders Stav Lemkin, Itay Rotman and Or Blorian.
Conclusion
Austria is missing several experienced players, so this is not as simple as the odds might suggest.
Arnautovic, Sabitzer, Alaba and Laimer are all significant absences, and Rangnick is using this international window to introduce younger players.
Israel also has enough attacking quality to cause problems. Solomon and Gloukh can punish Austria if the home side becomes too aggressive.
The difference is at the other end. Israel comes into the match with three defenders unavailable, while Austria should control most of the possession and create more chances at home.
Austria has the stronger squad, home advantage and a better overall match setup.
The price is short, but Austria to win is still the best selection.
Verdict: Austria to win
Best odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: 1xBet
