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Nations League Preview: France vs Austria |H2H |Team News| Prediction
Defending Nations League Champions France are all set for a crucial encounter against Austria as they bid to avoid relegation from Group A.
Currently, on a winless run of four matches, Didier Deschamp's side will have to bring their ‘A-Game’ into play as the World Cup is around the corner. A similar fate awaits Austria as they too will try to avoid relegation to Group B in the Nations League.
- France lost their previous game in the Nations League at home to Croatia in a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final
- The Les Blues will be without Hugo Lloris after he sustained a thigh injury
- Austria currently sits third in Group A1 and defeat to France will see them take the bottom spot
France vs Austria Head to Head
The two teams have met on four occasions in the past with France being the superior of the two sides. As things stand, the Les Blues had won two competitive meetings, one of which came in the 1982 World Cup when a Michel Platini-inspired side won 1-0. The teams would next meet in a competitive match in the 2010 World Cup qualification match where both teams won their respective home matches 3-1.
In the reverse fixture in June, Kylian Mbappe rescued a point for Didier Deschamps’ side after the 2018 World Cup winner scored in the 83rd minute. Andreas Weimann had initially opened the scoring in the 37th minute for the home side that could have inflicted a third defeat for France in the Nations League.
France vs Austria Head to Head in competitive matches
| Format | Matches | France Wins | Austria Wins | Draws |
| Overall | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| In France | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Neutral | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
France vs Austria Qualification Permutations
Defending champions France are already out of the race for the qualification and can only finish third if they better Austria’s results in the final two games. The group is currently led by Euro 2016 semifinalists Denmark with three wins in four while World Cup runners-up Croatia are second with seven points. France have picked only two points from four matches while Austria are on four points with a win and a draw.
Austria can still finish as group winners if they win their final two games while both Croatia and Denmark fail to win. Croatia too will be in the race to finish as group winners and qualify for the semifinals. Denmark though will be the favorites to make their claim for the semifinals.
Standings in Group A1
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Denmark (X) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 9 |
| 2 | Croatia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 7 |
| 3 | Austria | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | France (Y) | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 2 |
France vs Austria I Team News
France will be without skipper Hugo Lloris after he picked thigh injury in Tottenham’s home win against Leicester on Saturday. The injury opens the gate for Mike Maignan to take the duties with the gloves. Other big names that go missing include Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and Paul Pogba as they too are nursing injuries.
Austria will be without Sasa Kalajdzic who suffered a severe ACL injury during his first 45 minutes of action with Wolverhampton Wanderers and will spend at least six months recovering. RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer is another injury concern for Austria, who will be without Valentino Lazaro, Florian Grillitsch, Stefan Ilsanker, and Martin Hinteregger.
France possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Pavard, Kounde, Varane, Mendy; Guendouzi, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Griezmann; Mbappe, Giroud
Austria possible starting lineup:
Lindner; Lainer, Trauner, Lienhart, Alaba; Sabitzer, Schlager, Siewald; Baumgartner; Arnautovic, Gregoritsch
Prediction:
France 3-1 Austria
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