In the Austrian Bundesliga, the champion is already certain with Red Bull Salzburg. The Bulls have been in a league of their own for years. The league reform and the division of points have not produced a new champion in Austria either. Sturm Graz was able to celebrate the runner-up title. Nevertheless, there is still the fight for third place and the European Cup places. So Sensations climber Austria Klagenfurt also has a chance of third place. This is only four points away for the Pacult team. Third place would qualify for the Europa League group stage play-off. If you lose there, you are still in the group stage of the Conference League. Third place is always lucrative.
There is also a lot at stake at the Vienna Derby on Sunday when Rapid Vienna is a guest at Austria Vienna. Rapid is just two points ahead of the violets. Austria therefore wants to start the overtaking maneuver in front of a sold-out house. Austria sports director Manuel Ortlechner said to Sky: “Playing European would be a small sensation when I think about where we started in the summer.” You can also feel the pressure at WAC, because the Lavanttalers could fall back to sixth place in the event of a defeat against double winners Salzburg. Thus, the Wolfsbergers would end up empty-handed.
Apart from WSG Tirol, which have already fixed relegation, five of the six teams can still be relegated or make it into the play-off for the Conference League. One of the first two places is necessary for this. The first in the qualifying group has home advantage in a decider and then plays a home and away game against the fifth in the master group. The lead from first to sixth is only nine points. It has never been so close with three laps to go.
The relegation battle is also dramatic. For SCR Altach in the home game against Ried: Losing is forbidden! Should Hartberg win at LASK and Admira score three points against WSG Tirol, relegation could no longer be prevented. However, the Rieder also have to deal with the specter of relegation. The Innviertler failed by a hair because of the master group. Now, after the lost cup final, there is also a risk of relegation. With a win, Rieder would no longer have to worry about staying up in the league. With a complete success, the Upper Austrians could even squint in the direction of the Conference League. With three laps to go, the situation in the Bundesliga is crazy.
