Austin vs Minnesota United Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips
Austin vs Minnesota United Preview
Last campaign’s 25th-placed side Austin FC will host Minnesota United at the Q2 Stadium on Sunday, February 25.
The hosts enter this game on the back of a decent preseason. They played seven games across the span of nearly one month and lost just once. The other results were three wins and three draws. However, Austin lacks consistency as they could not register two wins or two draws back-to-back. Having scored nine goals in their last three games, and having won the last one 3-2, Austin will be looking to make a strong start to the season.
The visitors, on the other hand, enter this game on the back of a rather disappointing preseason. They played four games but won just once, losing once and drawing twice. In these four games, Minnesota scored just thrice but conceded a worrying six goals. They have struggled for form in front of goal and will need to rectify it soon before the MLS season gets going in full flow. Their last game was a goalless draw with Charlotte FC as they will look to turn things around in the next one.
On that note, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.
Team News
Austin
Manager Josh Wolff will have most of his squad fit and available for the new MLS season as they will look to better their finish from last season.
Defender Zan Kolmanic will miss this game and probably the next few weeks as well. He suffered a cruciate ligament injury back in April 2023 and could likely make his return to action in a couple of months.
Minnesota United
Manager Adrian Heath will have his entire squad fit and available for this season-opener. Having experimented slightly during pre-season, the manager seems to have found his strongest XI to get started with.
Striker Teemu Pukki ended last season on a high, scoring four goals in the penultimate fixture against LA Galaxy. He will be expected to lead the line and carry the goal-scoring burden yet again this season.
Predicted Lineups
Austin
Wolff is known to stick with his preferred lineups unless crises strike and he did so for most of the run-in for the last season. Going by that, he will likely field a similar lineup.
Predicted XI: Brad Stuver (GK), Brendan Hines-Ike, Julio Cascante, Leo Vaisanen, Jon Gallagher, Jhojan Valencia, Daniel Pereira, Sebastian Driussi (C), Owen Wolff, Ethan Finlay, Emiliano Rigoni.
Minnesota United
Heath will stick with his most trusted XI for this game and hope they will get the job done, having played together before.
Predicted XI: Dayne St. Clair (GK), DJ Taylor, Michael Boxall, Miguel Tapias, Zarek Valentin, Wil Trapp (C), Joseph Rosales, Bongokhule Hlongwane, Emanuel Reynoso, Hassani Dotson, Teemu Pukki.
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Head-to-Head
Last 5 Games Head-to-Head
- Minnesota 1-4 Austin (07/23)
- Austin 2-1 Minnesota (06/23)
- Minnesota 2-1 Austin (08/22)
- Austin 1-0 Minnesota (04/22)
- Austin 0-1 Minnesota (10/21)
As you can see, there have surprisingly been no draws between these two sides in their seven meetings since 2021. In the last five, Austin have won three, while Minnesota have won two.
Austin have netted eight times, while Minnesota have scored just five times in their last five meetings. Whenever both teams have scored, the total went past three goals, and even reached five once.
Prediction
The upcoming game promises to be an exciting encounter as well. However, it could be slightly cagey compared to their last meeting and could end in the first-ever draw between these two sides.
Prediction: Austin 2-2 Minnesota United.
Betting Tips and Odds
Betting Tips
- Both Teams to Score – Yes: 1.49
- Over 2.5 Goals – Yes: 1.55
- Austin FC to Score Over 1.5 Goals – Yes: 1.76
Match Odds
- Austin FC Win: 2.08
- Draw: 3.80
- Minnesota United Win: 3.25.
Austin vs Minnesota United Timings & Telecast
- Date & Time: Sunday, February 25th at 1:30 AM (GMT).
- India: MLS Season Pass.
- UK: MLS Season Pass.
- US: MLS Season Pass (Match), Apple TV (HLs).
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