Preview: Israel Under-19s vs. Austria Under-19s - prediction, team news, lineups

Both seeking victory to improve prospects of a top-two finish in Group B, Israel Under-19s and Austria Under-19s clash in their second match of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, on Wednesday.

Despite being denied an opening day win in the dying seconds, the Israelis managed to score twice and pick up a valuable point, while their opponents were beaten by England.

Match preview

Though Israel looked to have secured victory from their first fixture of a packed group-stage schedule, which features three games in less than a week, conceding a stoppage-time equaliser saw them fumble two precious points against Serbia in Ziar nad Hronom.

An exciting affair at Mestsky Stadion, where they will play again in midweek, saw Ofir Haim's side slip behind early on, before fighting back to lead 2-1 with just moments left on the clock.

Nonetheless, their impressive unbeaten run was extended to a seventh game, as they continue to defy expectations when pitched against Europe's elite.

A pair of friendly draws with tournament favourites France, earlier this month, proved that Israel could prosper at this level, having previously impressed in qualifying by following a draw against Hungary with victories over Turkey and Scotland to claim top spot in Group 1.

With their best-ever result at this age bracket still being a group stage exit in 2014, Haim's current crop will now aim to surpass that mark over the course of the next few days - after tackling Austria, they next face group leaders England at the weekend.

Certainly, the Austrians were unable to handle the attacking threat of the Young Lions on Sunday, and a 2-0 defeat leaves them playing catch-up with two games remaining.

Though they finished top of their qualifying group, eliminating Spain in the process, Austria were picked off either side of the half-time interval by their English counterparts; seeing a seven-match unbeaten streak ended in the process.

Martin Scherb's side are acutely aware that not only do the top two teams in both groups progress to the semi-finals, but all four will automatically qualify for the 2023 Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia too.

The winner of a playoff between the sides finishing third can also book their flights for next year's global finals, so there remains all to play for, as Austria aim to progress past the semis for the first time, having fallen at that stage during the 2003, 2006 and 2014 editions.

Team News

Israel are set to name a similar side to that which started on Sunday, after they came within a whisker of victory over Serbia.

In a squad dominated by home-based players, their top scorer in qualifying, Dor Turgeman, leads the line up front in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Maccabi Tel Aviv's Oscar Gloch - scorer of Israel's first goal at the weekend - providing a creative spark from behind.

Winger Ahmad Ebraheim also found the net, having come off the bench, and will now hope to supplant either Ariel Lugassy or Nehorai Ifrah out wide.

After drawing a blank in their opening game, Austria could make a switch up front in midweek, as Jakob Knollmuller of German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim awaits his chance to start.

Whoever features at centre-forward will be supported by former Barcelona loanee Yusuf Demir, while Ervin Omic captains the side from central midfield.

Israel Under-19s possible starting lineup:

Gliklich; Feingold, Lemkin, Israelov, Edri; Kancepolsky, Madmon; Ebraheim, Gloch, Lugassy; Turgeman

Austria Under-19s possible starting lineup:

Scherf; Querfeld, Wallner, Fallmann; Mischitz, Kanuric, Jasic, Omic, Weixelbraun; Demir; Knollmuller

We say: Israel Under-19s 1-1 Austria Under-19s

Israel have proved themselves as credible contenders for the knockout stage in recent months, so could catch an attack-minded Austria team out on at least one occasion - keeping them in the mix for a top-three finish.

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