Norwayvs.Austria

The two meet in Oslo with nothing to separate them, after both games on the opening matchday of Group B3 ended level.

Match preview

An uninspiring 0-0 draw away in Kazakhstan did little to ease the tension on Norway manager Stale Solbakken, who has come in for criticism for not getting the best out of a talented group of players.

With Erling Haaland being partnered by Alexander Sorloth, flanked by Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb (when fit) and Martin Odegaard in behind, much is expected of Norway, but they have not produced any success as of yet.

A capitulation against Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying essentially cost them a place at the finals, as the 22-year wait for a major tournament appearance went on.

The Nations League offers a route into the next World Cup via the playoffs, but dropping two points to League B debutants Kazakhstan is not the start the Norwegian fans envisaged.

In a truly dismal game with just one shot on target between the sides, Norway's poor record in 2024 extended to just one win in five games.

Next up, the Scandinavians welcome an Austrian side to Oslo that they faced in this competition back in 2020 - losing here 2-1.

Like Norway, Austria also went away from home and claimed a point on Friday, but they made the much shorter trip to neighbouring Slovenia.

Ralf Rangnick's side caught the eye prior to Euro 2024, and at the finals themselves, beating the Netherlands to secure passage into the last 16 as group winners ahead of the Oranje and France.

Defeat to Turkey in the knockout stage was just their third in 13 competitive games, with France and Belgium the only other sides to get the better of Das Team in that run.

In trying circumstances, Austria came away with a respectable point from Ljubljana, as Rangnick bemoaned the state of the pitch, as well as the decision to award the hosts an early penalty, which was eventually converted by Benjamin Sesko.

Konrad Laimer levelled proceedings shortly after and the game finished 1-1, as Austria will now come into a second straight away game in a decent position.

An instant return to League A after their relegation in 2022 will be the sole aim for Rangnick over the next three months, as it was a run of one point from five games to finish their last campaign which resulted in the drop to the second tier.

Norway Nations League form:

D

Norway form (all competitions):

D

L

D

W

L

D

Austria Nations League form:

D

Austria form (all competitions):

D

L

W

W

L

D

Team News

Despite the drab performance in Almaty, Solbakken is unlikely to change much, given that it was about as strong as Norway could have gone, with Fulham new boy Sander Berge the only clear candidate to potentially come into the side after only starting from the bench on Friday, with Patrick Berg of Bodo/Glimt the man likely to drop out.

Odegaard should captain the side again, while Haaland will look to return to the goalscoring trail after the Kazakhstan backline kept him quiet on Friday.

Haaland's Manchester City teammate Bobb is the big miss with a serious leg injury, but Solbakken still has Sorloth and Nusa at his disposal in attack and those two should start either side of Norway's talisman here.

Rangnick has made very few changes to the Austria setup since the Euros, with Philipp Lienhart the only starter from Germany left at home.

Kevin Danso and Michael Gregoritsch are out injured, along with captain David Alaba, who remains on the road to recovery following his serious knee injury.

In terms of personnel changes, Christoph Baumgartner could come into the side, possibly replacing Patrick Wimmer in an attacking role.

Norway possible starting lineup:

Nyland; Ryerson, Ostigard, Hanche-Olsen, Wolfe; Myhre, Berge, Odegaard; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa

Austria possible starting lineup:

Pentz; Mwene, Posch, Wober, Prass; Seiwald, Laimer, Sabitzer; Schmid, Arnautovic, Baumgartner

We say: Norway 0-1 Austria

Solbakken is under intense pressure to improve Norway's fortunes, but after another feeble performance in Kazakhstan on Friday, the team does not seem to be clicking as well as it could be.

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