Austria vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: prediction, H2H and probable lineups — November 18, 2025
On Thursday, November 13, in another round of World Cup qualification, Azerbaijan will host Iceland on their home turf. Read on for more details about the teams and our match prediction.
See also: Montenegro vs Croatia prediction and betting tips 17 November 2025
Match preview
Austria sits atop Group H after seven rounds: Rangnick's side has collected 18 points, conceding just three goals and losing only to Romania on their road to the World Cup. Four times Austria has kept a clean sheet, showcasing disciplined, pragmatic football against opponents of equal or higher caliber.
Playing at home, the Austrians are likely to push for dominance: expect high ball possession, active wing play, pressure in midfield, and rapid attacks. Their objective is to seize the initiative, prevent Bosnia from settling into the game, and establish control from the opening whistle.
Bosnia, to the surprise of many, managed to challenge Romania in the group, beating Mircea Lucescu's team twice, which allowed them to rack up 16 points and stay in contention for direct World Cup qualification going into the final round. The team has conceded just six goals—an impressive defensive record for the Bosnian squad.
Under Sergej Barbarez, Bosnia and Herzegovina could opt for a pragmatic approach: compact defense, structured lines, and counterattacks. It's crucial for them not to let Austria break away early and to patiently wait for their chances, whether on the break or from set pieces.
Probable lineups
Austria: Schlager; Prass, Danso, Lienhart, Posch; Laimer, Seiwald; Sabitzer, Baumgartner, Schmid; Arnautovic
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Vasilj, Dedić, Katić, Muharemović, Burnić, Hadžiahmetović, Tahirović, Gigović, Memić, Džeko, Bayraktarević
Match facts and head-to-head
- In their head-to-head meeting, Iceland won 5-0
- Azerbaijan hasn't won since June last year
- Iceland has scored in nine of their last ten matches
Prediction
I expect an intense and intriguing clash: Bosnia has nothing to lose, having already secured a World Cup playoff spot, but they're still eager to fight for direct qualification. This is a young, ambitious team, ready to give their all. On the other side, Rangnick's Austria is known for pragmatic, tight football with sharp attacking transitions. My prediction: total over 2.5 goals at 1.85
