Austria host Israel for this second last FIFA World Cup 2022 qualification match at Wörthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt. It will probably not be the most entertaining football match but is a very interesting betting-wise. Let's take a closer look..

Israel beat Austria 5-2 at home but this must be one of the most undeserved clear wins in international soccer in Europe for a long time! First of all the visiting Austrians had 57% ball possession and created 19 scoring attempts whereas the Israelis managed to create only nine. The Austrians also recorded considerably more passes, completed passes, attacks and dangerous attacks. It is also worth remembering that two of Israel goals were scored in situations where the scoring chance was less than 3%. This can happen in football and as a result we have a good bet to place on Austria today! I just watched the match again today before starting to write this preview and Austria were clearly the better team and must be not huge but very clear favorites at home. Israel is difficult place to play for visiting teams for many reasons  - for example because of the safety procedures for away teams which often results in the visitors arriving the day before the match - not an ideal preparation to say the least.. Israel have achieved good results at home but most often really struggle abroad. They were for example totally demolished by Denmark in this group some months ago - the score was 5-0 and total domination by the Danes. Austria, on the other hand lost to Denmark in Copenhagen only 1-0 about a month ago and did have their chances in the match! Yes, Denmark were better overall but did not dominate. They, of course, are a very good team though by raw class. Most of my fans probably remember them making it all the semifinals in the EURO 2020 last summer and were only defeated by England in the 30 minutes extra match.

Israel do have more points in the group at the moment than Austria but I would day the standings do not reflect the true class of either team! I am of course aware of the fact that Israel still do have a chance to place second and earn a ticket to the qualifying round but the chance is very slim and they would need help from Moldova who are facing Scotland today. Moldova are a very bad team and Israel's chances are very slim in my opinion.. As for this match, there is no doubt Austria are clearly the better team. Let's remember how well Austria performed in the EURO 2020 forcing the eventual Champions Italy to an extra match after goalless 90 minutes of play. The match as a whole, especially the 90 minutes, was surprisingly balanced, but in the extra time Italy did earn the win though. Both teams have a relatively good situation in terms of missing players today so no advantage there for either team. The difference in players' raw individual class here is big in favor of the hosts - about half of Israel's starting eleven play for two Israeli clubs who are not top teams by European standards.. Most of Austria's players, on the other hand, play for good European clubs!

To sum up, Austria have a big chance of winning here. The hosts -0.5 goals handicap is my pick for my growing fan-base