Norway vs Austria

Norway and Austria are set to square off in a handsomely-looking UEFA Nations League encounter at the Ullevaal Stadion.

After missing out on Euro 2024 qualification, Norway hoped to start a new winning cycle in Almaty last time out, only for Kazakhstan to hold Stale Solbakken’s side to an uneventful 0-0 draw. Norway’s disturbing performance against League B newcomers heightened the pressure on their long-serving manager, pouring more misery on an underwhelming 2024 (W1, D2, L2). Solbakken can take heart from the number of chances his team created against Kazakhstan, but they’ll have to be more clinical in front of goal to increase their chances of securing a first-ever League A promotion. The Norwegians must also improve at home after amassing just four points on home soil in the last Nations League cycle, yet the upcoming game against Austria doesn’t bode well.

The Austrians held Norway winless in both matches during the 2020/21 Nations League season (W1, D1), winning 2-1 on these shores to maintain their near-flawless record in competitive H2Hs (W6, D1). However, it wasn’t a dream start to the new Nations League campaign for Austria by any stretch of the imagination, as Slovenia held them to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group B3 outing. Though that wasn’t the result Ralf Rangnick desired, his men at least strengthened their remarkable form in UEFA competitions, losing just three of their 13 such games (W8, D2) since being relegated from League A in 2023. The visitors will be confident of posting another win here after winning five of their seven matches on foreign soil since the end of the last Nations League cycle (D2).