Group H leaders Austria travel to face Cyprus at Alphamega Stadium on Saturday with the aim of strengthening their push for a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
Ralf Rangnick’s side sit two points clear at the top of the table, and a victory against their already eliminated hosts could secure automatic qualification, depending on results elsewhere.
Read our Cyprus vs Austria prediction and preview to find out more, and remember to check our other World Cup qualifiers tips
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Cyprus vs Austria prediction: Visitors to reign supreme
Key stats:
- Austria have won all seven previous competitive encounters against Cyprus.
- Both sides have scored in three of Cyprus’ last four home games across all competitions.
- Austria have claimed five wins from six matches in World Cup qualifying so far.
Correct score prediction: Cyprus 1-2 Austria
The most recent meeting between these teams was far from straightforward for Austria, with Marcel Sabitzer’s solitary strike deciding the reverse fixture in Vienna and this one is expected to be similarly competitive.
With little at stake beyond pride, Cyprus will look to give their home supporters something to celebrate. The hosts’ attack has been impressive on home soil, and they are likely to find the net at least once.
Nevertheless, Austria’s superior quality and stronger motivation make them favourites to claim victory.
Pre-match analysis: Visitors overwhelming favourites
- HOME: 17/2 (9.50) – 10.5%
- DRAW: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%
- AWAY: 2/7 (1.29) – 77.8%
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes; subject to change*
The odds highlight the clear gulf in quality between the two nations. Austria sit 24th in the FIFA World rankings, while Cyprus are 125th.
A 77.8% chance of victory suggests that anything other than an Austrian win would be a shock, underlined by Cyprus’ low 10.5% likelihood of claiming maximum points.
Our hot tip of Sabitzer to register two or more shots on target is priced at 2.05, which offers value, considering his high involvement in Austria’s attacking play.
Most recent H2H: Das Team have been dominant
The last competitive encounter saw Austria secure a 1-0 win in Vienna, extending their perfect record against Cyprus to seven victories.
Cyprus preview: Key players miss out through suspension
Cyprus will be without left-back Kostas Pileas and centre-back Konstantinos Laifis, both suspended for accumulated yellow cards, while top scorer Ioannis Pittas is also unavailable for the same reason.
Predicted XI: Mall (GK), Siikkis, Andreou, Panagiotou, Correia, Kastanos, C. Charalampous, Artymatas, Tzionis, Loizou & Kakoullis
Cyprus’ last five results:
- 12/10/25: San Marino 0-4 Cyprus (W)
- 09/10/25: Cyprus 2-2 Bosnia & Herzegovina (D)
- 09/09/25: Cyprus 2-2 Romania (D)
- 06/09/25: Austria 1-0 Cyprus (L)
- 10/06/25: Romania 2-0 Cyprus (L)
Austria preview: Defensive duo suspended
Austria will be without Real Madrid defender David Alaba and left-back Phillipp Mwene, both serving suspensions. Tottenham Hotspur’s Kevin Danso is expected to slot in at centre-back, while Alexander Prass could feature on the left flank.
Predicted XI: Schlager (GK), Prass, Danso, Lienhart, Posch, Laimer, Seiwald, Sabitzer, Baumgartner, Schmid & Arnautovic
Austria’s last five results:
- 12/10/25: Romania 1-0 Austria (L)
- 09/10/25: Austria 10-0 San Marino (W)
- 09/09/25: Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-2 Austria (W)
- 06/09/25: Austria 1-0 Cyprus (W)
- 10/06/25: San Marino 0-4 Austria (W)
Player to watch: Marko Arnautovic
Veteran striker Marko Arnautovic was unused in Austria’s defeat to Romania in the previous round but is expected to lead the line here.
Arnautovic has netted six times in the qualifiers, making him Austria’s top scorer, and also holds the national record with 45 international goals and all eyes will be on the 36-year-old as he looks to make a decisive impact in Limassol.