Perhaps unsurprisingly, Austria and Jordan have never met in a competitive or non-competitive match.
Led by former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick, ‘Das Team‘ are making their first appearance at the World Cup since 1998.
If you’re staying up for this one in the UK, you have won our respect and admiration. It’s scheduled for a 9pm kick-off…in San Francisco, which makes Austria-Jordan one of the few 5am-ers this side of the pond.
Score prediction for Austria vs Jordan
Austria are favourites for this game, and understandably so. Their squad is packed with players who compete at the top level in Europe, and the team sit 41 places higher in the FIFA World Rankings.
Among Jordan’s 26-man squad is just one player – Musa Al-Taamari – who plays in a top five European league.
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With holders Argentina looming in Group J, Austria need to pick up maximum points against the World Cup debutants.
Head coach Rangnick has instilled his high-pressing identity into the Austrian side but expect them to lean on veteran superstar David Alaba anchoring the defence, along with the creativity of Marcel Sabitzer.
Jordan enter their maiden World Cup full of confidence under manager Jamal Sellami, riding the momentum of their run to the 2024 Asian Cup Final.
To pull off an upset, they will rely heavily on talisman and Ligue 1 star, Musa Al-Taamari, whose pace will be Jordan’s primary weapon on the counter-attack.
Will this make things a dull affair, with Jordan sitting back intent on frustrating their European opponents? Perhaps.
If the AFC nation are going to play on the counter, they’ll need to be clinical. Staying in the game for as long as possible will be vital.
Overall, though, with Rangnick’s tactical nous and the gulf in class between the two squads, Austria should really have this game sewn up with plenty of time still remaining.
- Score prediction: Austria 4-0 Jordan
