Game Preview: Sweden vs. Austria - World Cup Qualifiers - October 11th, 2013

Sweden host Austria in a crucial Group C matchup on Friday, October 11th, 2013 at Friends Arena in Solna. The kick-off is at 20:45 local time.

Germany have basically won Group C already and qualified for the World Cup. The battle is now between Sweden and Austria for second place and a potential spot in the qualification playoffs.

Sweden are three points ahead of Austria with two games to go, but they play Germany next, while Austria play Faroe Islands. This is a big game. Sweden must go for a win, as a draw will not guarantee them second place. When Austria and Sweden played earlier in the qualifications, in Vienna, the score was 2-1 for the hosts.

Sweden are coming off a 0-1 win vs. Kazakhstan and Austria beat Republic of Ireland last 1-0.

The odds for the upcoming match in Solna are as follows:

Sweden: 7/10
Draw: 5/2
Austria: 17/4

Sweden are the favourites to win at home. A 100 € bet on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and co. could yield 70 € in profit, while the same bet on Austria could yield 425 € in profit.

The most likely score, according to the odds is a 1-1 draw offered at 11/2.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the favourite to score for Sweden at 8/13 (bet 100 € for a chance to win 61 €), while Philipp Hosiner, who plays for Austria Wien, is the favourite to score for the guests at 12/5 (bet 100 € for a chance to profit 240 €).

Can Austria surprise on Friday and come up with a draw or a win, which would keep them alive in the qualifications, or will Sweden grab all three points and secure themselves a spot in the playoffs?

Should be a good game!