Can Vienna Austria be a threat to the Turkish favourites?

Thursday evening the time has come: The Violets from Vienna start their international adventure and face Fenerbahce in the play-offs of the Europa League qualification 2022/23. Before the match against the traditional Turkish club, Austria ended their form crisis in the Bundesliga and took the first three points in the Austrian top flight.

In the 2-1 win against Tirol, however, the Violets were outnumbered for long stretches. It is quite possible that the physical strain from the energy-sapping home match against the Tyrolians will also be noticeable in the match against the Yellow Navy Blue from Istanbul. In contrast, the Turkish representatives celebrated a comfortable 6:0 victory and were able to relax.

The anticipation for the explosive match in the Generali Arena is immense – on both sides mind you. After all, Austria’s Viola Park is already sold out. Despite the sold-out home crowd, the bookmakers still see the guests from Turkey as favourites. For Austria Wien vs Fenerbahce, betting odds of 2.30 are currently offered for tip 2.

When you consider how strong Fenerbahce were a few days ago in the city derby against Kasimpasa SK, the assessment of the best bookmakers is quite understandable. Add to that the fact that the Canaries from Istanbul have never lost a competitive match against an Austrian team anyway – will it stay that way?

Austria Vienna – Statistics & current form

The 2022/23 season could not have started any worse for the Veilchen. Since the cup win against Wels, in which Austria celebrated a 7-0 victory, there has been only one victory in a match. That victory came last weekend against Tirol – despite being shorthanded, mind you.

Before the second half, Galvao, one of the mainstays of the Violets’ central defence, was sent off. The Brazilian was shown the red card after an unfortunate duel as the last man of the Violets. However, head coach Manfred Schmid’s team did not let this upset them and nevertheless went into the half-time break with a 1:0 lead.

Because Fitz then increased the lead to 2:0, Prica’s goal (Tirol) to make it 2-1 was only a cosmetic measure. After all, FK Austria Wien defended strongly in the second half and managed to keep the 2-1 lead. It is quite possible that the energy-sapping game is still in the bones of the Violets.

Will the home crisis come to an end on the international stage?

To date, FK Austria Wien have only won one competitive match against a Turkish team. That victory came in the 1982/83 season against Galatasaray in the European Cup Winners’ Cup. They won the first leg 4:2 away from home, but lost the second leg 0:1 at home.

This time, however, it is risky to predict a win for the Austrians against Fenerbahce. The Violets have not won any of their last ten home matches on the international stage. The last time they won at Viola Park was in the EL play-offs in 2016/17, and since then FK Austria Wien have a record of 0-4-6 at home.

Head coach Schmid still has seven players unavailable for the first leg of the Europa League play-offs due to injury. Compared to the starting eleven that was deployed against WSG Tirol last weekend, only minor changes are therefore expected in the starting line-up.

Predicted line-up of Austria Wien:
Früchtl – Martins, Galvao, Mühl, Ranftl – Huskovic, Wustinger, Braunöder, Fischer – Fitz – Tabakovic

Last matches played by Austria Wien:

Bundesliga
13/08/2022 – Austria Wien 2 – 1 WSG Tirol

07/08/2022 – Altach 3 – 2 Austria Wien

31/07/2022 – Austria Wien 1 – 1 LASK

23/07/2022 – RB Salzburg 3 – 0 Austria Wien

Cup
16/07/2022 – FC Wels 0 – 7 Austria Wien

Fenerbahce – Statistics & current form

Fenerbahce have warmed up for the upcoming match in Vienna. The Canaries showed a defiant reaction after their false start in the league and won 6-0 against city rivals Kasimpasa SK. In the process, the yellow-navy blue team benefited at times from overtime play, after all, their opponents KSK saw a sending-off as early as the 16th minute.

After that, the team of FB coach Jesus dominated the match at will and increased the lead to 3:0 before the end of the second half. After Valencia scored to make it 4:0, three players were spared for the upcoming match in the Europa League qualification. Youngster Güler, among others, was used instead.

The offensive jewel of the Canaries put on a one-man show in the final phase and scored two goals for the yellow-navy blue team shortly before the end of the match. Even before his two goals, the youngster was causing a sensation with numerous individual actions and his outstanding game-building skills, which also earned him a bid for the starting eleven against FK Austria Wien.

Never lost against a team from Austria

Internationally, the Canaries will be facing a club from Austria for the seventh time. After six matches against the likes of Sturm Graz, Rapid Wien and RB Salzburg, Fenerbahce have a record of 3-3-0, so it’s not at all unreasonable to bet on a win for the yellow and navy from Istanbul this time around either.

If you want to bet on Austria Wien vs Fenerbahce, you can get odds of up to 2.30 in case of success. The record in away games on the international stage is also encouraging. Since 2019, Fenerbahce have lost only one of their last six matches on foreign soil in the UEFA European Cups.

On a season and competition-wide basis, the traditional Istanbul club is currently unbeaten in nine away matches in a row. Fenerbahce have won six of those nine away matches and are brimming with confidence ahead of Thursday’s game. FB coach Jesus is still without five players due to injury.

Fenerbahce’s likely line-up:
Bayindir – Kadioglu, Szalai, Gustavo, Osayi-Samuel – Arao – Lincoln, Zajc, Mor – King, Valencia

Last matches played by Fenerbahce:

Süper Lig
16/08/2022 – Kasımpaşa 0 – 6 Fenerbahçe

Europa League qualifier
11/08/2022 – Slovacko 1 – 1 Fenerbahçe

Süper Lig
09/08/2022 – Fenerbahçe 3 – 3 Ümraniyespor

Europa League Qualification
04/08/2022 – Fenerbahçe 3 – 0 Slovacko

Champions League Qualification
27/07/2022 – Fenerbahçe 1 – 2 Dynamo Kiev

Austria Vienna – Fenerbahce Direct comparison / H2H record

FK Austria Wien and Fenerbahce Istanbul meet for the first time ever

Austria Vienna – Fenerbahce Tip

The Violets ended their ongoing form crisis just in time for their first international must-win game this season, picking up three well-deserved points in the Austrian Bundesliga despite being shorthanded. Because the most recent opponent WSG Tirol was by no means the calibre of the upcoming opponent, the result last weekend should not be overrated.

Internationally, Austria have disappointed beyond measure in recent years. The last time the Violets reached the group stage of a UEFA European Cup was in the 2017/18 season. Since then, Austria Wien has failed to qualify twice. This was also the case in the 2021/22 season, where the Viennese were eliminated by Icelandic underdogs Breidablik, however Austria Wien have gained a lot of self-confidence since then.

It would therefore be all the more surprising if they manage to qualify for a European Cup this year. Especially since Austria Wien got a real hammer lot in the play-offs with Fenerbahce. In the current condition of the Veilchen, there are hardly any arguments that would reinforce bets on a victory for the Austrian host.

At home, Austria have not won any of their last ten home games on the international stage. It is quite possible that the negative trend at Viola Park will continue this time. We’re going with a six-unit bet on Austria Wien vs Fenerbahce on the Turkish visitors