Match Overview

The 5th-round match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament between the national teams of Austria and Cyprus will take place on September 6 at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz. Here’s our prediction, betting tips, odds, and statistics for Austria vs Cyprus.

Austria

Austria’s Current Form

Ralf Rangnick’s squad confidently defeated San Marino (4:0) away in the previous round. As a result, Austria secured their fourth victory in their last five World Cup qualifying matches. Furthermore, in three of these instances, the national team scored four goals. At the same time, it was the first clean sheet for the Austrians in their last six European qualifiers. The team currently sits second in their group’s standings with six points, trailing leaders Bosnia and Herzegovina by just three points, with one game in hand.

Austria: Key Home Statistics

• The national team has remained unbeaten in regular time in 7 of their last 9 home matches in World Cup qualifiers (6 wins, 1 draw).
• The team scored at least twice in 90 minutes in 5 of their last 7 home European qualifiers.
• Both opponents scored in regular time in 6 of Austria’s last 8 home World Cup qualifiers.

Predicted Austria Lineup (4-5-1)

Patrick Pentz – Philipp Mwene, David Alaba, Kevin Danso, Konrad Laimer – Patrick Wimmer, Nicolas Seiwald, Marcel Sabitzer, Christoph Baumgartner, Michael Gregoritsch – Marko Arnautović.

Cyprus

Cyprus’ Current Form

In the previous round, Apostolos Mantzios’ team lost 0:2 away to Romania. This defeat was Cyprus’ eighth in their last ten World Cup qualifying matches, with the team only managing to secure points against San Marino and Malta during this period. Moreover, in six of these games, the Cypriots failed to find the net. The team currently has three points, placing them only fourth in the group standings.

Cyprus: Key Away Statistics

• The national team has suffered defeats in regular time in their last nine away matches in World Cup qualifiers.
• The team conceded at least two goals in 90 minutes in their last six away European qualifiers.
• The Cypriots failed to score in regular time in 7 of their last 9 away World Cup qualifiers.

Predicted Cyprus Lineup (4-4-2)

Joel Mall – Nicholas Panayiotou, Konstantinos Laifis, Christos Sielis, Costas Pileas – Charalambos Kyriakou, Kostakis Artymatas, Grigoris Kastanos, Ioannis Kosti – Marinos Tzionis, Ioannis Pittas.

Referee

Referee Profile: Jakob Kehlet

Jakob Kehlet (Denmark)

Matches officiated – 5 (International matches, 2023/24–2024/25);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 16;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.2;

Red cards shown – 1;

Average fouls per match – 23;

Penalties awarded – 0%.

Prediction for the Austria – Cyprus Match

Match Prediction Analysis: Austria

The Austrians are confident at home and often achieve their goals, though large-margin victories are rare. In their last 13 home European qualifiers, the team won eight times, but only once with a difference of more than two goals. Furthermore, Austria scored more than three goals in only two instances during this period.

Match Prediction Analysis: Cyprus

The Cypriots haven’t secured a positive result away in World Cup qualifiers for a long time, but they rarely experience outright heavy defeats. In their last 17 away European qualifiers, the national team lost by a large margin only three times, and only against Belgium and Russia was the goal difference at least four goals during this period.

Final Betting Tip

I don’t expect the Austrians to face problems in this match, but their victory is unlikely to be overwhelmingly convincing. My prediction: “Cyprus with a +3 handicap” with odds of 1.61