- Team form: SK Rapid Wien are on a 5-game winning streak and are undefeated in their last 5 in all competitions (W5, D0).
- Opposition form: SV Ried have won just 2 of their last 10 in all competitions (D3, L5).
- Defensive record: Rapid have conceded just 3 goals in 3 away games across all competitions this season (W2, L1).
Sleek Rapid can edge a tight clash at Innviertel Arena
SK Rapid Wien enter Sunday's away match as 2.4 favorites against SV Ried's 2.85, which seems about right based on the teams' current form and overall matchup, with the Draw sitting at 3.35. The game at Innviertel Arena, Austria, will be a classic possession versus transition clash with Rapid looking to dominate the ball and build up while Ried will be set up to stay compact and counter when they get it.
With Mario Despotovic's men set up in a flexible, compact shape and Johannes Hoff Thorup's men playing a possession-based 4-3- 3, Rapid will try to probe and overload while Ried will look to be solid and pounce on the counter.
Ried solid at home, but Rapid a step up in class
Form and head-to-head
Rapid have been in red-hot form across all competitions since the start of the season, winning 7 of their previous 10 matches, and Ried have won just 2 of their 10 in the same period (D3, L5). Rapid have also won 3 of the teams' last 5 meetings, with Ried taking 2 and Draws at 0.
Rapid are clearly the superior team, and have won 2 and drawn 1 of their 3 away matches in all competitions so far this season, while conceding just 3 goals.
Home and recent results
Despotovic's side have won just 1, drawn 2 and lost 2 of their home matches across all competitions this term, and have been scoring 1.40 goals per game while conceding 1.60.
Ried's last 3 matches have seen them draw 1-1 with SC Austria Lustenau, then thrash FC Dornbirn 1-5 away in the cup and draw 1-1 at home to Istanbul Basaksehir FK. The visitors' last 3 games have seen them beat FC Santa Coloma 3-1 away, defeat SV Wienerberger 3-0 away in the Austrian Cup and then batter Santa Coloma 6-2 at home.
Rapid to edge it, and keep it tight
Prediction
With Rapid on a tear and Ried a solid, but unspectacular outfit, the best play here is to take the favorites to edge this one, although we do feel that it could stay close and cagey. Under 2.5 goals at 1.8 is a solid play with Rapid's attacking players in blistering form, but Both Teams To Score – No at 1.95 could well be the best option.
Players to watch
- Ercan Kara has bagged 5 goals in Rapid's 5-game winning run in which they have bagged 15 goals in total.
- Evan Eghosa Aisowieren has also found the net twice for Ried in their last 5 matches, with 6 goals in that spell, and he will be the main counterpunch threat to watch out for.
- Jussef Nasrawe leads Ried's scoring in the Bundesliga with 1 goal in 1 game, while Ante Bajic has already 1 assist in the league and can add spark in the final third.
