Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Austria and Israel face each other in a highly-anticipated World Cup qualifier at Worthersee Stadion. The Austrians suffered a 1-0 loss to Denmark in their last group game, and, as a result, they will not take part at the next year’s showpiece tournament. Das Team have nothing to play for in Friday’s qualifier, but, no doubt, their pride will be at stake this time out. The good news for the hosts is that Marko Arnautovic, who found the net for Bologna in a 2-1 win at Sampdoria, returns to the squad.
Israel, on the other hand, aim to keep their World Cup qualifying hopes alive, and seeing that the visitors are likely to adopt an attack-minded approach in Friday’s clash, we believe that there is a big value in betting on over 2.5 goals. A man to watch in the away team will be PSV attacker Zahavi, who is enjoying a season to remember.
Highlighted Player (David Alaba):
David Alaba started his youth career at SV Aspern and in 2002 he joined Austria Wien. Bayern Munich chiefs decided to sign him and he was promoted to the reserve team for the 2009/2010 campaign. He made 33 appearances for Bayern Munich II and he has been playing for the first team since 2010. At the age of 17 Alaba made his Champions League debut on 9 March, 2010 against Fiorentina.
The Austrian international is a full back, but he is capable of playing as a left midfielder as well. He represented Austria at the 2016 European Championship finals in France, but das Team failed to impress at the showpiece tournament, suffering elimination in the group stages. David Alaba won his fifth Bundesliga title with Bayern in the 2015/2016 season and he clinched the Champions League trophy with FCB in 2013.
Speaking of his individual honours, he was named Austrian Footballer of the Year in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Alaba was born in Wien on 24 June, 1992.
Highlighted Team (Israel):
Israel are the direct successor of the Mandatory Palestine national football team. The Israelis received full UEFA membership in 1994, 20 years after leaving AFC and they have been facing European sides in the World Cup qualifiers ever since. Israel participated at the 1970 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico, but they failed to make it to the knockout stages of the showpiece tournament.
The Israeli national football team have yet to qualify for the final stages of the European Championship, but they made it to the quarter-finals of the Olympics on two occasions (1968, 1976). Israel play their home games at both Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa and Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem.
Yossi Benayoun is the most famous and the most capped Israeli footballer and it has to be noted that the pacey midfielder played for the likes of Racing Santander, West Ham United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in the past. Israel play their home games in blue shirts and blue shorts, whilst they wear white shirts and white shorts when playing on the travels.