Despite winning UEFA Euro 2022, Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The European champions should be in Qatar getting ready for their first group match, but instead, Roberto Mancini’s men take on Austria in an international friendly before signing off until March.
Azzurri will be looking to end a disappointing 2022 on a high note. Neither of these teams will be in Qatar, but we take a look at the latest FIFA World Cup odds and give you our Qatar 2022 predictions.
Last Game Records
Austria ended a woeful five-match winless streak with a narrow victory against Andorra in Spain last time out.
Former Stoke City and West Ham United man Marko Arnautovic netted the only goal of the game three minutes from time to spare Austria’s blushes. Prior to that, the Austrians had lost three in a row and four of five.
Italy may have failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, but the European champions have been in good form of late.
Since a 5-2 UEFA Nations League loss to Germany in June, the Italians have bounced back with three successive wins, seeing off England, Hungary and Albania.
Austria vs. Italy Betting Analysis
Austria
Austria have had a tough time of late. Former interim Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick started life in the Austrian dugout in fine fettle, guiding the nation to an impressive 3-0 Nations League win over 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up Croatia in game one.
However, they went on a dreadful run after that and suffered relegation in the Nations League.Prior to the recent victory over minnows Andorra in Malaga, the Boys had lost four and drawn one of five.
Rangnick’s Men
The tie was an excellent one against world champions France, but Rangnick’s men went on to lose to Denmark, France and Croatia. The Austria team stats have not been good reading for their fans in recent times.
Austria had a mixed bag of results in World Cup qualifying, winning five, losing five and drawing one of 11.
They have not reached a World Cup finals since France 1998. Getting back into a World Cup will be their main priority for the country.
Speaking of the World Cup, the upcoming tournament in Qatar promises to be thrilling. As is often the case, record winners Brazil head into the finals as favorites, with the bookies offering just +350 for the Brazilians to lift the trophy in Qatar.
Odds Breakdown
The likes of Argentina (+550) and England (+800) have also been tipped to do well. Can France retain their crown? Didier Deschamps’ men are available at +700.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s game in Vienna, the Boys will be looking to build on the Andorra win and end 2022 in a positive way. Read on for our Austria vs Italy prediction.
Italy
Italy had a memorable Euro 2022 tournament last year. Mancini’s men bulldozed their way to the final, where favorites England were waiting at a packed Wembley Stadium. The Italians held their nerve in a penalty shootout to win their second European title.
One of the Most Succesful Nations in the World
Italy are one of the most successful nations in the world, but, incredibly, they failed to qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, losing to North Macedonia in a playoff.
Azzurri also failed to make it to Russia in 2018, meaning their last World Cup was in Brazil in 2014.
Despite the World Cup disappointment, the Italians have dusted themselves and picked up some solid results of late.
They were easily beaten by Germany in the Nations League in June, but Mancini’s troops have responded with a trio of victories over England, Hungary and Albania in their last three.
Italy’s Last Game
This will be Italy’s last game before they take on the Three Lions at home in their opening UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier in March.
Can the Blues finish 2022 with a fourth consecutive triumph? Our Austria vs Italy prediction and pick is below.
Soccer Injury Report
Both managers have a solid squad of players to choose from in this international friendly.
The teams would rather be in Qatar, but this will be the final game for the nations until March, so both sets of players will want the win in Vienna.
Austria vs. Italy Betting Preview
Austria’s results under Rangnick have been pretty poor. Even the game against Andorra in Malaga recently was a struggle at times, though the Austrians did get over the line in the end. This will be another stern test for the Boys.
Italy will still be kicking themselves for failing to reach another World Cup, but the current European champions head to Vienna in good form.
The away team are the bookies’ favorites in this one. Our Austria vs Italy prediction is a comfortable victory for the visitors.
Austria vs. Italy Betting Prediction
Since that heavy defeat to the Germans in Monchengladbach in June, Italy have won three on the spin and have conceded just one goal.
They have kept clean sheets in three of their past five. Our prediction for this one is Italy to win to nil at +600.
Soccer Pick: Italy (+600)
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