Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Nations League match.
After a rather uneventful 1:1 draw in Vienna on Thursday, expectations are low for a significantly more entertaining encounter in Belgrade. Neither side will want to risk too much, with a spot in League A of the next Nations League campaign still on the line.
Serbia
Serbia’s result in Austria marked their fourth consecutive match without a win, during which they’ve managed to score only twice. In Vienna, the team produced just 0.36 xG and registered one shot on target—the second-half strike from Lazar Samardžić, which turned out to be their only real threat. The forward partnership failed to click once again, with Dušan Vlahović clearly struggling to build any chemistry, this time with Luka Jović instead of Aleksandar Mitrović.
Austria
Austria, meanwhile, looked more convincing on home soil, generating 2.31 xG, 24 total shots, and enjoying 69% possession. However, they only managed four shots on target, and their lone goal came from Michael Gregoritsch, who scored on a rebound from an initially awkward attempt. Austria have been notably less effective on the road. Against Slovenia (1:1) and Norway (1:2), they created just 1.92 xG combined and only five shots on target across both matches—suggesting a far more reserved style when playing away.
Serbia vs Austria Prediction
In Sunday’s rematch, expect Austria’s attacking intensity to cool down, while Serbia are unlikely to take unnecessary risks either. Both managers will look to keep things tight and avoid damaging results. The reverse fixture already hinted at limited attacking efficiency from both sides, and there’s little reason to expect a major shift in tempo or intent.
