Austria vs Moldova

Austria and Moldova will lock horns in their final 2022 World Cup qualifying encounter with nothing but pride to play for at the Wörthersee Stadion.

Despite missing out on the opportunity to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals via the group stage, Austria’s chances of reaching Qatar 2022 are not gone. They can still secure the play-offs as one of the best group winners in the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League, meaning they’d want to build momentum here. The Austrians pulled off a stunning second-half comeback to beat Israel 4-2 at home last time out, meaning none of their previous nine World Cup qualifying matches have ended level (W4, L4). If they win here, it’s likely to be in emphatic fashion, considering both Austria’s home triumphs in the ongoing qualifying campaign have seen ‘Das Team’ net 3+ goals. Given Moldova’s lackluster displays, this would also be a perfect opportunity for the hosts to register their first World Cup qualifying clean sheet on home soil.

On the other hand, Moldova have fulfilled their status as Group F whipping boys so far, losing all but one of their nine World Cup qualifying games (D1) by an aggregate score of 26-4. Though they’ve lost all four group stage travels, the Moldovans have managed to put up a fight, succumbing to a narrow one-goal margin in the last three away matches. However, Roberto Bordin’s men could go down without a fight this time around, as they’ve lost their last four competitive H2Hs ‘to nil.’ Moldova’s defensive woes have seen them concede an average of 2.89 per game in the ongoing qualifying campaign, more than they did in any previous completed World Cup qualifying cycle. Therefore, their hopes of damage limitation here look far-fatched.