Manuel Chávez
Dailysports's expert
Latvia
Austria
In the final round of the group stage at the Ice Hockey World Championship, Latvia and Austria will square off. Here’s my exclusive prediction for this clash.
Latvia
The World Championship is shaping up well for Latvia, with three wins and three losses so far, placing them fourth in the group. However, a spot in the playoffs is not yet secured, as two teams are trailing by just two points.
Latvia opened with a 4-1 victory over France, then fell to Canada 1-7. In their third game, they overcame Slovenia 5-2. The team couldn’t challenge Sweden, suffering a heavy 0-6 defeat, but put up a fight against Finland, narrowly losing 1-2. Latvia won their latest match against Slovakia 5-1. To book a playoff spot, they simply need to avoid losing in regulation time.
Austria
After six group stage games, Austria has at least ensured their place in the elite division for next season. The tournament began with a 1-2 loss to Finland, followed by a 2-4 defeat to Sweden. Only in their third match did they manage to edge Slovakia in a shootout, after a 2-2 draw in regulation.
The Austrians held their own for two periods against Canada but ultimately lost 1-5. In their most recent game against Slovenia, it was 2-2 in regulation, but Austria proved more accurate in the shootout. A win here would send Austria to the playoffs, so motivation will be sky-high.
H2H
Head-to-head meetings between these teams are often tightly contested. Just a month and a half ago, they played two friendlies, with Latvia winning both—3-2 in overtime and 4-1.
Prediction
This is a crucial battle for both teams, with a playoff berth at stake. Latvia are considered favorites, though Austria also have a decent shot at success. I expect a hard-fought contest, possibly heading into overtime, but I’m backing a regulation win for Latvia.
