Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Austria prediction 09.09.2025 | World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Bosnia and Herzegovina return to home comforts after a comprehensive 6:0 win against San Marino on Saturday. In a tougher looking contest than the scoreline might suggest, the Bosnians led by just one goal until the 70th minute, before scoring five late goals to secure a dominant road win against the minnows.

While the hosts have picked up some decent results in recent months, including victories in each of their last four World Cup qualifiers, their record across the past couple of years is not especially impressive. Sergej Barbarez's side lost 11 of their last 17 matches since November 2023. 

Still, with confidence raised, the hosts should provide a stiff test for the Austrians who come into this fixture as odds-on favourites. 

Low-scoring outcomes have been relatively frequent for the home side. Only two have Bosnia´s last eight games finished with BTTS, while three of their last five competitive fixtures finished with under 2.5 goals scored.

Head coach Barbarez is unlikely to make too many alterations from the side that eased past San Marino. Anel Ahmedhodžić, Arjan Malic and Sead Kolašinac, and Ermin Bičakčić are among the notable absentees for the home side.

Austria come into Tuesday's World Cup qualifier after a somewhat nervy 1:0 win against Cyprus extended their winning run to three matches. 

Ralf Rangnick’s men opened their qualification campaign with a 2:1 win against Romania in Vienna before a comfortable 4:0 win against San Marino. On Saturday, Marcel Sabitzer’s second-half penalty sealed a narrow 1:0 victory against the Cypriots to keep their perfect record intact.

Low-scoring matches have been frequent in recent months, with the away side seeing under 2.5 goals in five of their last seven games. 

A strong run of form has seen Austria win 14 and lose just four of 24 internationals in the past two years. The visitors won six of their last nine games, while Bosnia have lost 11 of their last 17 matches, suggesting a narrow away win could be on the cards.

Head coach Rangnick could make one or two changes after a somewhat uninspiring performance against Cyprus. Austria were boosted by the return of captain David Alaba at the weekend, his first international appearance since a meniscus tear. 

Maximilian Wöber and Gernot Trauner remain sidelined, while Stefan Posch is suspended.