Rapids on a knife edge: Dundee in their heads; the champions ahead of them

Rapid Vienna has to contend with a double burden very early in the season. In parallel with league play, the men from Hütteldorf are busy qualifying for the Europa Conference League. Last Thursday, the Green-Whites had to settle for a disappointing 2-2 draw at home against Dundee United. Next week’s return leg in Scotland will therefore be the ultimate challenge for Stöger’s team, who will also be looking to put in a top performance on Sunday against the champions of the last two years.

Given that last year’s fifth-placed team is just finishing its third consecutive week of three games and has an immensely important European match ahead of it, I think it’s advisable to bet on the hosts from Styria in the match between Sturm Graz and SK Rapid.

The Blackies also have to compete in the Champions League playoffs, but they still have over two weeks until the first leg against Norwegian top club Bodö/Glimt. Last week, there were already signs that coach Jürgen Säumel’s team will be a hot contender for the championship in 2025/26.

In their Bundesliga opener, the Black and Whites won 2-0 away at LASK, leaving a pretty confident impression both offensively and defensively. The ÖFB Cup match against Bischofshofen was also won comfortably 4-0. The defending champions are therefore in good early form, which I would cite as an argument in favor of the home team when it comes to predicting the outcome between Sturm Graz and SK Rapid.

However, if you want to avoid a three-way bet, you can reduce the risk with a match combo at Bet-at-Home. With the Bet Builder in the Oddset app, for example, you can combine the double chance 1X with a maximum of three goals after 90 minutes. Although limiting the number of goals to under 3.5 is a risky move given Rapid’s four goals conceded in three ECL games and the Styrians’ injured center backs, the visitors will have to focus on defending well for long periods and capitalizing on counterattacks to get the win. In addition, 1X & Under 3.5 also covers a potential 1-1 draw or even a narrow home win with a goal conceded.

Sturm Graz – SK Rapid Head-to-head record/H2H record

Sturm Graz struggled greatly against Rapid last season. The eventual champions won only one of four season matches against the traditional club from the capital. Rapid even won twice in Vienna. However, the Sturm Graz vs. SK Rapid betting odds are influenced by the fact that the Blackies are now unbeaten against the Green-Whites in ten home games, i.e. for almost five years. Six of these ten encounters were won. There is much to suggest that the home side will add another three points to this statistic on Sunday afternoon.

Sturm Graz – SK Rapid Tip

Leon Grgic has been one of Austria’s most talented shooting stars since before this season. Nevertheless, it seems as if the 19-year-old has matured even further over the summer. At least, his start to the season gives hope that the striker will make his definitive breakthrough this year. I even see Grgic as a potential goalscorer this weekend, which is why I’m keeping an eye on the odds for him to score in the top match between Sturm Graz and Rapid Vienna. At Interwetten, you can get 2.75 as the top odds. Until Monday, you also have the opportunity to take advantage of Interwetten’s $20 free bet.

Otherwise, my Sturm Graz vs. SK Rapid tip is for 1X & under 3.5. On the one hand, I believe the champions will win at home, but I want to hedge my bets against a possible 1-1 draw. I don’t think the visitors from Vienna are capable of scoring more than one goal, especially as they have another ECL qualifier in Dundee on Thursday. This will be the fourth consecutive week with three games for Stöger’s team. The aforementioned match combo offers a solid 2.07 at the top.