Austria v Scotland betting tips: Clean sheet concern for Clarke

Austria v Scotland head-to-head

Scotland launched their World Cup qualifying campaign in March with a 2-2 draw against Austria at Hampden Park when they twice had to come from behind.

The two sides had last met in 2007, Scotland winning 1-0 in Vienna, but the last competitive fixture between the nations came in 1997 as the Tartan Army qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France with a 2-0 home win, following a 0-0 draw in the away tie.

Scotland have lost to Austria just once in the last eight meetings (W3 D4) and are evens to win or draw on the Double Chance market.

The same odds are available for both teams to score in Austria v Scotland betting tips, although that outcome has happened just twice in the last seven meetings.

The Scots have won eight of their 21 meetings since 1932 and are unbeaten in Austria in their last four visits (W2 D2). Indeed, Austria have won just four of the last 15 clashes since 1955.

Four of the last 10 saw three goals or more and it is 8/13 that there are fewer than three total goals scored this time.

Austria v Scotland team news

Scotland’s Ryan Fraser, Kenny McLean and Nathan Patterson have been ruled out following injury. Uncapped Hibernian defender Paul McGinn as been called up.

Austria v Scotland key battles

Scotland had scored once in four games without a victory before defeating Moldova and goals remain the problem for Clarke’s limited attack.

More concerning is that they have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last nine competitive away games and it is 3/1 that they do so in Vienna.

Marko Arnautovic has been involved in 13 goals in his last 15 appearances for Austria in all competitions, scoring nine and assisting four.

The former West Ham striker is going to be a handful for Scotland’s defence and with Austria hoping to avoid a third straight shut-out at home – something that has not happened since 2008 – Arnautovic may be the key man for Franco Foda’s side.

Arnautovic can be backed in Austria v Scotland betting tips at 7/2 to score the first goal or 6/4 to score at any time.

View the latest World Cup qualifying odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication