Neustadt, Sturm Graz ad Austria Vienna are all three sharing the top place of the league table of the Austrian Bundesliga, with Neustadt having the best goal difference than their opponents!

Saturday 31st July

Kapfenberg - Mattersburg
Kapfenberg lost easily at Graz against Sturm by 2-0 and it seems that they will have (another one) tough season. The team is facing big problems in attack, and the situation is getting worse by the fact that striker Srdan Pavlov will miss team's fixtures for the following four months. On the other hand, Mattersburg began the season with two defeats. In the match against Austria they had the right to complain against referee's decisions but last week they performed awful and lost easily to Ried by 1-4 at home. It will be a difficult match for both teams. I expect Mattersburg to be very careful at their defensive duties and under 2.5 goals (at 2.15 at Bet365)  seems the best option.


Ried - LASK Linz
This is a local derby of Austria. Ried was impressive against Mattersburg last week, winning easily by 4-1 and creating many goal-chances. Tonight they face a team against which they have great history (six wins and four draws in last ten matches). Linz scored three times against Austria but failed to win even the one point. The defence has many problems and this is obvious (the team conceded nine goals in first two matchdays), so they have to be very careful in the rest of the season. Odds on home win (at 1.70 at Bet365) are rather low, I prefer the over 3.5 goals (at 2.50 at Bet365) option.

Sunday 1st August

Neustadt - Austria Wien
Neustadt is until now the surprise of the season. They play nice soccer, hit on the counter attack and are in general a very fast and effective team. They proved that against Rapid, winning by 2-1 away. Now they face a team that seems to be in great form, Austria Wien. Austria started the season brilliant, winning both in Bundesliga and in Europa League qualifiers. They score easily, despite the fact that Acimovic and Stankovic are missing. I expect an open match with goals from both teams, so my first bet will be goal-goal (at 1.57 at Bet365) and I will also back Austria Wien (odds are great on away win at 2.30 at Bet365).


Rapid Wien - Salzburg
Rapid, the second big team of Vienna, started really bad the season. They lost their first two matches in Bundesliga against Wacker Innsbruck and Neustadt (this was a shocking defeat at home) and tonight they have a really tough fixture against the Champions, Red Bull Salzburg. We should mention that this is one of the biggest derbies in Austria with great hostility between the fans of the two teams. Salzburg's match against Wacker was postponed due to heavy rain and Huub Stevens team will try to take their first three points in Bundesliga tonight. Visitors are better team, more experienced and I think they can take the win. I will back Salzburg draw no bet (at 1.975 at Bet365) at great odds.


Wacker Innsbruck - Sturm Graz
The match against Red Bull Salzburg was postponed due to heavy rain and tonight, the surprise of the first matchday, Wacker, is facing Sturm Graz in a really difficult match for them. Franco Foda's team is showing that defence will be their main weapon for one more season. Striker Roman Kienast seems to be on form (he scored twice against Kapfenberg) and I expect a match without many goals here. Odds on under 2.5 (at 1.975 at Bet365) have great value and I will place a small stakes bet.