- Team form: FK Austria Wien have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 4 away matches in all competitions.
- Home form: FK Liepaja have won 4 and lost 1 of their last 5 home matches in all competitions.
- Reputation: FK Austria Wien arrive here as the more proven European outfit.
Austria Wien can edge it at Slokas Stadium
FK Liepaja have hit a good run of form, winning 3 and losing 2 of their last 5 matches, but they come up against an Austrian team with an undoubted European pedigree in this UEFA Conference League second-qualifying-round game.
Vladimir Vassiljev has done a good job with Liepaja since taking charge on 1 June 2026, making the hosts compact and tough to break down, but a 3-1 away defeat to BFC Daugava Daugavpils in their most recent Virsliga 2026 game remains the only blemish in their record since June.
Liepaja have won their last two matches, a 1-0 home win over FK Decic Tuzi in this competition followed by a 2-1 win away to the same team, but Austria Wien are a step up in class and should prove a much sterner test.
Expect Vienna to control the game
Manager and approach
Stephan Helm has done well with Austria Wien since his appointment on 10 June 2024, instilling a proactive, control-heavy approach that should serve them well in this two-legged tie.
They arrive here off a 4-1 home victory over Paksi FC in the Friendly Club Matches 2026 after a pair of 1-1 draws with Debreceni VSC and DAC Dunajska.
Formations and tactics
Austria Wien line up most often in a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation that can adapt into a 4-3-3 and they can play quickly and vertically when they have the ball, while their counter-pressing style ensures they usually recover possession quickly.
Liepaja line up in a compact back-four shape, with the back-four close together to absorb pressure and looking to transition quickly, overlap and get forward off the break or from set pieces.
Liepaja have some bite too
Austria Wien are the clear favourite here at 1.3, with Liepaja available at 8.85 and the Draw at 5.2, but neither of those prices appeal.
There's no value in the head-to-head market so we'll take Austria Wien to edge this one in a fairly tense affair.
- The market seems to be leaning towards a close game, Under 2.5 goals at 2.16 and Both Teams To Score — No at 1.75, and we think that's probably right.
- Austria Wien have hit 8 goals in their 4 away matches in all competitions so have plenty of final-third bite, but Fellipe Vieira has been a spark for Liepaja with 3 of their recent goals and Vasilije Markovic has given them some bite with 2 goals in their last 5.
- Liepaja have scored 10 goals in their last 5 at home across all competitions and should be able to nick a few chances on their own patch.
