Match Overview

The 6th round match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament between the national teams of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Austria is scheduled for September 9th at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica. This preview offers an in-depth analysis, betting predictions, odds, and key statistics for the Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Austria encounter.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Team Analysis

Sergej Barbarez’s squad delivered a dominant performance in their last outing, securing a comfortable 6-0 away victory against San Marino. This impressive result extended Bosnia and Herzegovina’s winning streak in the World Cup qualifiers to four matches, with the team keeping clean sheets in three of those fixtures. Currently, they sit confidently at the top of their group standings with 12 points, holding a three-point advantage over Austria.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Key Statistics

• The team has failed to win in regular time in 6 of their last 8 home matches in World Cup qualifiers (2 draws, 4 losses).
• The national team has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 90 minutes in 4 of their last 5 home European qualifiers.
• The Bosnians have conceded goals in regular time in 6 of their last 7 home World Cup qualification matches.

Predicted Bosnia and Herzegovina Line-up (4-3-3)*

Nikola Vasilj – Jusuf Gazibegović, Adrian Leon Barišić, Stjepan Radeljić, Denis Burnić – Benjamin Tahirović, Ivan Bašić, Haris Hajradinović – Ermedin Demirović, Edin Džeko, Kerim-Sam Alajbegović.

Austria Team Analysis

Ralf Rangnick’s side secured a narrow 1-0 home victory against Cyprus in their last fixture. This marks Austria’s fifth win in their last six World Cup qualification matches. Furthermore, the national team has managed to keep clean sheets in their two most recent outings. Austria currently holds nine points, placing them second in the group, three points behind Bosnia and Herzegovina, though they have a game in hand.

Austria Key Statistics

• The team has scored at least two goals in regular time in 5 of their last 7 away matches in World Cup qualifiers.
• One of the opponents failed to score in 90 minutes in 6 of the national team’s last 9 away European qualifiers.
• The Austrians have found the net in the second half in 6 of their last 8 away World Cup qualification matches.

Predicted Austria Line-up (4-5-1)*

Patrick Pentz – Philipp Mwene, David Alaba, Philipp Lienhart, Konrad Laimer – Patrick Wimmer, Nicolas Seiwald, Marcel Sabitzer, Christoph Baumgartner, Xaver Schlager – Marko Arnautović.

Match Official Details

Jesus Gil Manzano (Spain)

Referee Statistics

Matches Officiated – 9 (International fixtures, 2024/25);

Yellow Cards Issued (including second yellows) – 35;

Average Yellow Cards per Match – 3.9;

Red Cards Issued – 1;

Average Fouls per Match – 21;

Penalties Awarded – 33%.

Match Prediction: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Austria

Sergej Barbarez’s men have enjoyed a stellar start to their current World Cup qualification campaign and will be eager to maintain their impressive form. Playing on home turf, the Bosnians frequently secure favorable results and fiercely challenge opponents of all calibers. In their last 12 home European qualifiers, the national team has suffered only four defeats. Notably, during this period, Bosnia and Herzegovina narrowly lost to formidable opponents like France (0-1) and Belgium (3-4).

Conversely, Austria tends to struggle on their travels, with victories being a rarity. In their previous 11 away matches in World Cup qualifiers, the team has managed to win only four times. Furthermore, in only three of those instances did they secure a victory by a margin of at least two goals, and these were against significantly weaker opponents: Moldova, the Faroe Islands, and San Marino.

Given their inspiring start to the current qualification campaign, I believe the hosts will put up a strong resistance against the Austrians. My forecast: “Bosnia and Herzegovina with a (+1) handicap” at odds of 1.64

Author: Dmitry Shchurko

* The starting lineup for each team is based on their last match in this tournament.