Will Sturm Graz confirm their form from pre-season?
We have no doubts whatsoever that the big favorites will progress in our Bischofshofen vs. SK Sturm Graz tip. The reigning Austrian champions have had a formidable preseason and are traveling to Salzburg full of confidence for their first competitive game of the season.
The hosts spend their league days in the Regionalliga West, the third-highest division. BSK finished last season in the middle of the table (9th). Based on last year’s cup performance (1-11 vs. TSV Hartberg), the Bischofshofen vs. Sturm Graz prediction is for a clear victory for the favorites.
SK Bischofshofen – Statistics & current form
At the beginning of the 1960s, the current third division team from Salzburg was a tricky opponent in the ÖFB Cup. Between 1960 and 1965, BSK reached at least the round of 16 in three of four editions. The highlight was reaching the quarter-finals (1964/1965).
Since then, the home side has only reached the third round once. According to our Bischofshofen – Sturm Graz prediction, the third division club can hardly dream of repeating that feat. In 2023/2024, Thomas Schöll’s current team took part in the cup for the first time since 1988/1989.
In their first attempt, the team narrowly lost to league rivals Saalfelden (2-3). The Schnöll protégés would prefer to forget last season’s result. Against TSV Hartberg (1-11), it was almost like watching two different sports – that’s how big the difference was on the pitch.
Bischofshofen remains without a chance
The team from Salzburg has been playing in the regional league for four years. Many young players occupy places in the squad and want to recommend themselves for higher-level teams through good performances in the league and the rare opportunities in the cup. They will not be fazed by their huge underdog status in the Bischofshofen vs. Sturm Graz odds.
We categorically rule out the third division team advancing. Instead, a similar debacle to last year’s defeat against TSV Hartberg could be on the cards. Based on this, a boost in the odds in conjunction with a handicap victory for the visitors would be a good bet.
Like his team, coach Thomas Schnöll is still quite young. However, the 33-year-old is already in his third coaching position. His previous engagements (Adnet, Grödig, and now Bischofshofen) have never gone beyond the third-highest division.
Sturm Graz – Statistics & current form
The reigning Austrian champions have installed a real figurehead on the sidelines. As a player, Jürgen Säumel once took over the captain’s armband and became the youngest captain in the club’s history. His attitude after Cristian Ilzer’s departure to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim was warmly welcomed by the fans.
An exuberant start to the season, with a 7-0 thrashing of Klagenfurt and the club’s first Champions League victory in 24 years (1-0 against Girona), was followed by a barren spell. However, those in charge kept their cool and were ultimately rewarded with the championship title.
Compared to his predecessor, Säumel has made only minimal but effective adjustments and has even continued with the 4-4-2 system with a diamond midfield. There has been no sign of a departure from this system in the team’s performances in pre-season so far.
Sturm Graz is ready for its first competitive game
The visitors have started their preparations for the new season full of energy and, despite strenuous training sessions, have put together a tremendous run of six unbeaten friendly matches in a row. They finished their preparations with a 2-1 win over HSV.
The seven-time cup winners are keen to show off the attacking flair they displayed last season. No other team in the Austrian Bundesliga scored more goals than the Schwoazen last season (66 goals in 32 games).
In addition, the Graz team has made a name for itself as a cup team in recent years. After triumphs in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, last season ended in the quarter-finals (0-2 vs. Austria Vienna). In the Bischofshofen vs. Sturm Graz prediction, Säumel’s team will make another attempt at the title.
SK Bischofshofen – Sturm Graz Head-to-head record / H2H record
The only two meetings between these two sides took place in the 1971/1972 season. Sturm Graz won both games (2-1, 1-0). Of course, no significant conclusions can be drawn from this for the first round of the cup.
SK Bischofshofen – Sturm Graz prediction
Sturm Graz’s offensive potential is probably greater than that of any other Austrian team. The visitors should get off to a flying start in their first competitive game of the season and be able to impressively defeat their lower-ranked opponents.
At the same time, the Austrian champions’ much-praised pressing is part of the team’s DNA and will prevent the Sportklub from Bischofshofen from mounting a comeback. We therefore recommend odds of 1.85 at Merkur Bets and are betting on “Both teams to score: No & Over 2.5 goals.”
