Euro 2024 Qualifier: Belgium vs Austria Odds
Group F Foes Clash on Saturday
Austria Lead Group F
In the first round of June Euro 2024 qualifiers, Belgium host Austria on Saturday. The two sides are in a competitive Group F, including Sweden. Through two matches, Austria are on top of the group but a Belgium win would certainly shake things up. Belgium had just one World Cup qualifier in March so they do have a game in hand. In a match between two solid European sides, we’ll look at the Belgium vs Austria odds.
Euro 2024 Qualifier
Belgium vs Austria
Date, time:
Location: King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
Head-to-Head
Belgium and Austria were last in the same group for Euro 2012 qualifiers. They haven’t met since Belgium picked up a 2-0 win in 2011. These teams have only played each other five times since 1978. In those matches, Belgium are unbeaten, at 2-3-0. Austria’s last win over Belgium was in 1959, but they lead the all-time series 9-2 with three draws. Those interested in betting on soccer games have a rare opportunity here.
De Bruyne Out for Belgium
- Standings: 1-0, 2nd Group F
- Key Injuries: D Thomas Meunier, M Kevin de Bruyne, M Amadou Onana, F Leandro Trossard
Belgium had just one World Cup Qualifier in March, and it finished in a 3-0 win over Sweden. Romelu Lukaku scored a hat trick in the Red Devils’ win. Lukaku came on as a substitute for Inter Milan in last Saturday’s Champions League final. His cameo did not go according to plan as he missed a big chance and inadvertently blocked a point-blank header from teammate Federico Dimarco. An injury also cut Kevin de Bruyne’s day short, but his Manchester City won the match 1-0.
De Bruyne, who is Belgium’s captain, will not be available to play vs. Austria on Saturday or at Estonia next Tuesday. It’s a massive loss for Belgium, who are already without midfielder Amadou Onana and winger Leandro Trossard. Defender Thomas Meunier is also out, and Domenico Tedesco must adjust his lineup accordingly. Regardless, the Belgium vs Austria odds price hosts Belgium as favorites.
Tedesco’s tenure has gotten off to an excellent start, with two wins in two matches. Following the win over Sweden, Belgium won on the road vs. Germany in a friendly. Incredibly, It was Belgium’s first win over Germany on German soil for over 110 years. Even without De Bruyne and Onana, Tedesco still has Youri Tielemans, Yannick Carrasco and Leander Dendoncker at his disposal. Forwards Lukaku and Michy Batshuayi have also combined for nearly 100 national team goals.
Austria Resurgent Under Rangnick
- Standings: 2-0, 1st Group F
- Key Injuries: F Saša Kalajdžić
After a tumultuous stint as Manchester United’s interim manager, Ralf Rangnick took the Austria job last Summer. The hire was criticized by many, and his tenure did not get off to a good start. In the UEFA Nations League, Austria went just 1-1-4 and are going down to the “B” League. However, things have changed quickly, as Austria won their last four matches in all competitions.
Notably, Austria picked up a 2-0 friendly win over Italy last November as David Alaba and Xaver Schlager got on the scoresheet. They also kicked off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with two wins. In the opening 4-1 win over Azerbaijan, midfielder Marcel Sabitzer scored twice. Austria also got a 2-1 win over Estonia to catapult themselves to the top of the Group F UEFA Euro qualifiers standings. SC Freiburg striker Michael Gregoritsch scored in both matches and he’s certainly an option here.
Now, Austria head on the road for the first time in their Euro qualifying campaign. Their only road win during Rangnick’s tenure was a 1-0 friendly victory over Andorra. Austria lost all three of their UEFA Nations League road matches by a combined 7-1 scoreline. They’ve certainly built some momentum since then but this figures to be quite the test.
Match Analysis and Odds
Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco should be familiar with a couple of Austria’s key players. He coached Austria midfielders Konrad Laimer and Xaver Schlager at RB Leipzig. The focus of his gameplan could very well be Marko Arnautovic, though, who has scored 34 goals in his Austria career. Belgium are expected to come away with a win here and are one-goal favorites for Saturday’s match.
The Belgium vs Austria odds price the hosts as -175 moneyline favorites. Belgium comes in at even odds to cover the one-goal spread without Kevin de Bruyne. Tedesco certainly has a selection problem when it comes to his forwards. Lois Openda scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 this season for Lens, while Michy Batshuayi scored twice last weekend as Fenerbahce won the Turkish Cup. Still, Lukaku has proven to be Belgium’s key striker.
Meanwhile, Austria +1 displays -130 odds, but they do have three multi-goal road losses under Ralf Rangnick. Austria haven’t defeated Belgium for over 60 years and Rangnick’s side are +440 moneyline underdogs for this one. A draw would be a solid result for Austria and it is currently priced at +310 odds. Both teams scored six goals apiece in two March matches and the oddsmakers price over 2.5 goals at -125.
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