They lost to Rapid Vienna and Mattersburg on the road, both matches losing with three goals difference, while only home game saw them having a goalless draw against AC Wolfsberger and the fact is that they could be happy with that point taken as well, as the players of Wolfsberger were in between Europa League matches, while they played with a man less for almost whole second half. With only one goal scored so far, team is nowhere their good form and now needs to play much more offensive and risking a lot, in order to get something against superior opponent. Moreover, they didn’t win in last five home matches against Salzburg and no doubt that a point here would be as huge as a victory for them. Ried can’t count at defender Bergmann (3/0) who was starting in all three previous rounds, but also at midfielder Murg (2/0) and forward Walch (3/0) all three kinda important players for hosts.
Salzburg, on the other side, didn’t manage to improve the atmosphere inside their locker room couple of days ago, as the team only got a point in a 2:2 draw away to Admira on Saturday evening. Their early start of the season is nowhere close a positive one, as the team has only one victory – in Champions League qualifiers against Malmo, but that victory didn’t help them to progress to the next round as they got excluded with a defeat in the second leg.
Having that in mind, their season is in some way already ruined as everyone believed that Salzburg will be playing in the group stage of Champions League, but the team now needs to get satisfied with a Europa League group stage – only in case if they progress over the next obstacle in play-off. As for the domestic league, they also have only one point till now, suffering losses against Rapid Vienna at home and away from home against newly promoted Mattersburg. Their offensive part of the team isn’t playing that bad, however defensive lineup is nowhere near a reliable one and the team will need to improve much more in order to get back regularly to the title race. Salzburg is having certain problems making the lineup for this game, as they can’t count at long term absentees like midfielders Yabo and Valentino, but also striker Nielsen, while doubtful for this match are Schmitz (2/0) defender and forward Soriano (1/0) whose fitness is still questionable being previous sidelined with injury.
Both teams are entering this game under pressure and surely will be risking a lot in order to take the three pointer. Salzburg is a favorite, but they are far away from reliable side and the goals will be my first option. Ried has to attack, but the visiting side is solely capable of scoring few goals here as well.
Bet: Over 3 goals @ 2.04
