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Grazer AK will welcome RB Salzburg to Merkur Arena in their 2024-25 Austrian Bundesliga campaign opener on Friday. The hosts are back in the top flight after a 17-year break while the visitors finished second in the league standings last season.
The hosts played their first game of the season in the Austrian Cup first round last week against Velden. Second-half goals from Benjamin Rosenberger and Dominik Frieser helped them overturn a two-goal deficit as the match ended with a 2-2 scoreline after extra time. They registered a 4-3 win on penalties.
The visitors registered a thumping 6-0 win over Dornbirn in the Austrian Cup, with four goals being scored in the first half. Karim Konaté bagged a first-half brace while Lucas Gourna-Douath scored just four minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Grazer AK vs RB Salzburg Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and have met 123 times in all competitions. They have contested these meetings closely, with the hosts having a narrow 49-48 lead in wins and 26 games ending in draws.
- The two teams last met in the semifinals of the 2018-19 Austrian Cup, with the visitors recording a 6-0 win.
- The visitors are unbeaten in their last seven meetings against the hosts, recording six wins.
- Grazer AK have failed to score in four of their last five meetings against the visitors while conceding 12 goals.
- Salzburg have suffered defeats in three of their last four away games in the Bundesliga.
- Three of the last five meetings between the two teams have produced under 2.5 goals.
- The visitors have kept clean sheets in their last four away meetings against the hosts.
Grazer AK vs RB Salzburg Prediction
Die roten Teufel have enjoyed an unbeaten record at home in 2024 in competitive games. They will play for the first time in the Austrian Bundesliga since 2007 and will look to get their campaign underway on a positive note. Die Roten Bullen began their season with a thumping 6-0 away win in the Austrian Cup last week and will look to build on that form.
Considering the visitors' dominance in this fixture in recent games and record in the Bundesliga, we back Salzburg to register a comfortable win.
Prediction: Grazer AK 1-2 RB Salzburg
Grazer AK vs RB Salzburg Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - RB Salzburg to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Karim Konaté to score or assist any time - Yes
