Stormy Start to the Second Half of the Season

The second half of the season kicks off with an exciting match featuring two prominent teams. On Sunday, SK Sturm Graz, the reigning champions and current league leaders, will visit Hütteldorf to face Rapid Wien. The match, set to begin at 17:00, is expected to attract significant attention.

Match Details

• Location: Allianz Stadion, Hütteldorf
• Date: Sunday
• Kick-off Time: 17:00
• Broadcast: Sky Sport Austria

Over 22,000 tickets have already been sold, including approximately 2,000 allocated for visiting fans. Tickets will be available for purchase on Saturday from 11:00 to 18:00 at the Fancorner and online at rapidshop.at.

Team Preparations

Rapid Wien recently managed to stabilize their performance after a challenging stretch of five consecutive losses. They secured commendable victories in their last two matches, winning 2-0 against Ried and 1-0 in the ÖFB Cup against St. Pölten.

Coach Peter Stöger, although facing some injury-related absences, remains optimistic. Players such as Petter Nosa Dahl and Claudy Mbuyi are expected to return post-international break, while Jannes Horn is set to feature on Sunday. Notable absentees include Noah Bischof and Jean Harisson Marcelin.

Sturm Graz’s Strong Track Record

Sturm Graz is entering this match with confidence, despite suffering a 1-2 defeat against Rapid in their first encounter this season and a previous loss in May. They have achieved maximum points in their first six away matches of the season, which adds to their formidable reputation.

The team is eager to continue their strong performance, especially after their recent close Cup victory in Niederösterreich. Their coach, Jürgen Säumel, expressed excitement about the support from fans leading up to the match.

Historical Matchup Insights

Rapid Wien had a successful run in their last two encounters against Sturm, winning both matches. This includes a notable victory during the previous season’s finale, where they triumphed 3-1 at Allianz Stadion.

Overall, Rapid has historically fared well against Sturm at home. Out of 11 previous matches at the Allianz Stadion against Sturm Graz, Rapid has won five times, drawing three and losing three.

League Standings

The current league standings reveal a tight competition. The top four teams are separated by just one point, indicating that the second half of the season will be pivotal for all contenders. Rapid Wien currently sits in third place, aiming to enhance their position in the race for the championship playoff.

As the stage is set for a thrilling encounter, both teams are preparing to make their mark. The question remains: can Rapid secure yet another victory against the champions?