Off the back of a last-minute winner in Macedonia on Tuesday night to maintain a 12-match win streak that dates back to the first game of pre-season, Red Bull Salzburg have just four days to recover as prepare to host newly-promoted Hartberg in the first meeting between the two since 2012.
It was a frustrating night in Tetovo during the week. It was a dire display that saw Marco Rose’s side struggle to maintain possession, create a sufficient amount of opportunities and Hannes miss two great chances to extend the aggregate lead within quick succession in the second-half. However, Salzburg received a huge slice of luck in the 93rd minute when a wayward back pass alluded the goalkeeper and was intercepted by Minamino, who composed himself then fired it into the back of the net.
Hartberg have managed to do well for themselves in their debut campaign in Austria’s top-flight. Despite back-to-back close call defeats in their opening two games against ÖFB-Cup winners Sturm Graz and Admira Wacker Mödling, they were able to secure their first three points last weekend with a 4-2 win against Mattersburg on home turf and currently sit 7th in the table with zero goal difference.
Wholesale changes could in order as Red Bull Salzburg prepare for their Champions League play-off round first leg in Serbia against Red Star Belgrade. There is a new addition to the injury list as Dominik Szoboszlai has sustained an ankle injury and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Match Information
Date: Saturday, August 18, 2018
Kick-off: 17:00 (CEST)
Venue: Red Bull Arena
Referee: Oliver Drachta
Broadcasting: Sky Sport 8 (Austria)
Previous Meetings
01.05.12: Hartberg 0-1 Red Bull Salzburg
Current Form
Red Bull Salzburg
LASK 3-1 (H) | Mattersburg 0-2 (A) | Shkëndija 3-0 (H) | Austria Vienna 2-0 (H) | Shkëndija 0-1 (A)
Hartberg
RB Weindorf St. Anna 1-4 (A) | Sturm Graz 3-2 (A) | Al-Qadisiyah 1-2 (A) | Admira Wacker Mödling 0-1 (H) | Mattersburg 4-2 (H)
Team News
Red Bull Salzburg
Injured: Patrick Farkas (anterior cruciate ligament) | Fredrik Gulbrandsen (hamstring) | Alexander Walke (hip) | Kilian Ludewig (wound) | Dominik Szoboszlai (ankle) | Jérôme Onguéné (back)
Absent: Hwang Hee-chan (international duty)
Hartberg
N/A
Predicted Line-ups
Red Bull Salzburg
Stanković
Mwepu – Ramalho – Pongračić – Todorović
Junuzović – Leitgeb – Schlager
Wolf
Daka – Prevljak
Hartberg
Swete
Blauensteiner – Huber – Siegl – Rasswalder
Diarra – Ljubic – Rep
Sanogo – Tadić – Flecker
Score Prediction
Red Bull Salzburg 2-0 Hartberg
