Our prediction for this Europa Conference League match:
Buoyed by a 3-2 win over VPS, Ilves will be aiming to give fans some cheer when they take on Austria Vienna in the Conference League second qualifying round, first leg. Ilves have been involved in some high-scoring games of late and they are likely to stick to their attacking style of play. First-choice goalkeeper Otso Virtanen is available for selection despite his sending-off in the triumph over VPS.
The Violets, on the other hand, are eager to make a flying start to their Conference League qualifying campaign. As Austria were scoring goals for fun in pre-season, we believe that there is a big value in betting on both teams to score. Summer signing Cristiano is widely expected to make his official Austria Vienna debut against Ilves. It has to be noted that the two teams have never met before in European competitions.
Highlighted Team (Austria Vienna):
Austria Wien are an Austrian football club that was founded in March, 1911. Thirteen years later the Violets won their first Austrian Bundesliga title, finishing the season four points clear of fellow capital club First Vienna.
Speaking of the club’s recent trophies, Austria Wien clinched their 24th domestic title in 2013, while lifting their 27th Austrian Cup trophy in 2009. The club’s bitterest rivals are Rapid Wien and the teams face each other in the Wien derby. Austria Wien are regarded as a middle-class club, while Rapid’s supporters mostly come from the city’s working class. Speaking of the club’s European success, the Violets participated in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1978, losing to Anderlecht in the title game.
Austria Wien welcome their rivals at Franz Horr Stadium, the venue that has been the home ground of the club since 1973. The stadium’s current capacity is 13 400. The club’s colours are violet and white, but they often play their away games in red kits.