Read our prediction for Rapid Vienna vs Sturm Graz below. This preview was written by a sport journalist who is specialised in betting tips and predictions. Use our betting tips for the match between Rapid Vienna vs Sturm Graz and you can increase your winnings!
Rapid Vienna vs Sturm Graz Prediction & Betting tips
With the only catch-up game from autumn 2020, the Austrian Bundesliga started the calendar year 2021 last Sunday. All twelve teams are now in action this weekend and the official kick-off for spring 2021 will sound at the Allianz Stadium in Vienna. Rapid Vienna and Sturm Graz face each other.
After twelve match days, the Austrian Bundesliga is extremely balanced and the first four teams are separated by just one point. These two teams are in this group of four and so it is also about the top of the Austrian Bundesliga table at the start of spring.
The guests from Graz were already in action last Sunday and have the advantage of a competitive game in their legs. Nevertheless, the best bookmakers at Rapid Vienna against Sturm Graz, according to current betting odds, see the tip on the home side as the most likely outcome.
Rapid Vienna :
The Austrian record champions only suffered two defeats in the Bundesliga in autumn 2020, but the mood among the fans was subdued for long stretches. The style of play by no means caused euphoria and there were always inexplicable fluctuations in performance.
One reason for the lack of consistency was certainly the many injuries, which meant that a number of youngsters had to take on a relatively large amount of responsibility. Despite a short winter break, the hospital seems to be slowly clearing.
Captain Dejan Ljubicic reported back in preparation, the long-term injuries Philipp Schobesberger and Christopher Dibon can train with the team again, only the match fitness is still missing. Youngster Dailbor Velmirovic is currently the only injury-related loss.
The suspension of top striker Taxiarchis Fountas is painful. In the last test match against Flyeralarm Admira, he consequently received a dismissal due to a spitting attack and was banned from four competitive games. Top talent Yusuf Demir (17) could benefit from this suspension and get even more game minutes.
The Allianz Stadium in Hütteldorf has not been a fortress in recent years and Rapid had to deal with a relatively large number of defeats. This season the Kühbauer-Elf (whose contract ends at the end of the season by the way) seemed to get rid of this weakness at home and started the season with three impressive home wins (goal difference 10: 2).
Since the 3-1 win against Altach on November 1, there has been no home win. After two draws against Red Bull Salzburg and in the derby against Austria Wien, Rapid slipped into a 3-0 debacle against underdog WSG Tirol.
Despite three wins in the test matches (Lafnitz, own amateurs, Admira), Rapid Vienna against Sturm Graz seems to have no value in the prognosis for the home win. The poor home performance and the unrest due to the Fountas scandal are arguments that speak against the home win.
Sturm Graz :
After a completely disappointing 2019/20 season, SK Sturm Graz is the positive surprise this season. With neo-trainer Christian Ilzer (who himself had a disappointing season with Austria Wien) the success came back to Styria. In terms of loss points, the Blackies were even number one in Austrian football at the turn of the year.
Friends of early counter-pressing or unconditional offensive play should not necessarily watch a SK Sturm Graz game. On the offensive, it is mostly the individual quality that makes the difference, while the Blackies on the defensive lay the foundation for an outstanding season.
In eight of the twelve league games, goalkeeper Jörg Siebenhandl was able to keep his box clean, only five (!) Goals conceded Sturm Graz. In the catch-up game last Sunday, Siebenhandl was able to defuse a penalty from Michael Liendl and held the point with several top saves. Sturm Graz has been without a goal for 454 minutes.
With Nestor El Maestro, Sturm Graz had a self-promoter as head coach last season. Unrest on and off the pitch was the logical consequence and the athletic performance suffered enormously. The club’s management remained inactive for a surprisingly long time and the ripcord was only pulled at the end of the season. After the end of the season, Christian Ilzer was signed by league rivals Austria Wien.
Ilzer brought calm to the club in his Styrian homeland and was able to form a unit within a very short time. The team fights for each other and takes responsibility itself. Without any instructions from outside, Andreas Kuen took over the left-back position last weekend after Dante was sent off in the 30th minute. On Friday, Kuen will probably defend again on the left, while Kiteishvili will take his place in midfield.
Rapid Vienna vs Sturm Graz head to head matches
19.09.20 BUN Sturm Graz Rapid Vienna 1 : 1
28.06.20 BUN Sturm Graz Rapid Vienna 2 : 3
07.06.20 BUN Rapid Vienna Sturm Graz 4 : 0
24.11.19 BUN Rapid Vienna Sturm Graz 1 : 1
18.08.19 BUN Sturm Graz Rapid Vienna 0 : 1