- FK Austria Wien are the clear betting favourites at 1.3.
- FK Liepaja are the rank dark horses at 8.85 and the draw is 5.2.
- The market odds reflect the quality difference between the sides.
Austria Wien have a bit more in their locker
FK Austria Wien have a touch more European pedigree than FK Liepaja and should be able to edge the first leg of this UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie. However, the hosts have been in solid form and will not give up easily.
Stephan Helm has been in charge of Austria Wien since 10 June 2024, and his side are typically a proactive, control-heavy team, set up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 system that can morph into a 4-3-3 when needed. They play with verticality and have some good counter-pressing qualities when they are under the cosh.
Liepaja are a compact back-four side under Vladimir Vassiljev, who has been in charge since 1 June 2026. They attempt to absorb pressure, before hitting forward with direct transitions, overlaps and set pieces on their own terms. This style clash should see the visitors have more of the ball, but Liepaja have enough about them to frustrate Austria Wien and catch them off guard on the break.
Liepaja could nick something in Latvia
Austria Wien's form is a touch inconsistent, with 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat in their last 5 games in all competitions. They come into this game off the back of a 4-1 victory at home to Paksi FC (2026 Friendly Club Matches), which comes after back-to-back 1-1 draws with Debreceni VSC and DAC Dunajska.
Liepaja's form is much more impressive of late, with 3 wins and 2 defeats in their last 5 fixtures. Their only real slip-up during that time was a 3-1 defeat away to BFC Daugava Daugavpils in the 2026 Virsliga. They have won their last 2 on the trot, and have won 4 and lost 1 of their last 5 home games in all competitions.
Austria Wien have scored 8 goals in 4 away games in all competitions, and should have more than enough in the final third to get the better of their hosts. Liepaja have scored 10 times in their last 5 at home, so should have the quality to nick something on the night.
Punting ideas
The odds and the playing styles of these two sides suggest we are in for a pretty close match and not the walkover that the Austria Wien odds suggest. Austria Wien should be better, but we like the look of the Under 2.5 goals market at 2.16 and Both Teams To Score - No at 1.75 for Thursday's game.
Fellipe Vieira has been a bright spark for the hosts with 3 goals in his last 5 appearances, scoring 3 of Liepaja's last 8 goals overall, while Vasilije Markovic has added a bit of a bite to the Austria Wien attack with 2 goals in his last 5, which have accounted for 2 of FK Austria Wien's last 6. Ede Oloko is Liepaja's top scorer in this season's UEFA Conference League Qualification, bagging 1 goal in 2 games.
