I think the Republic of Ireland are worth backing to score at least once against Austria on Saturday night.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side have looked a greater threat going forward lately, scoring six goals across their last three Nations League games, including three away to Israel and two against Austria in last month’s reverse fixture.

Their strong finish to World Cup qualifying also offers encouragement, with Ireland winning all three of their final matches in the regular phase despite ultimately failing to qualify.

Those wins included a 2-0 success over Portugal at home and a thrilling 3-2 victory away to Hungary.

Ireland then took the Czech Republic to penalties after a 2-2 draw away from home in a World Cup play-off tie in March.

That suggests the visitors are more than capable of making their mark against an Austria side that have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their four Nations League matches, conceding in home wins over Israel and Kosovo.

I’m expecting Austria to be on the front foot for much of this game, so a minimum of five corners looks well within range for the hosts.

Ralf Rangnick’s side are not renowned for racking up high corner totals, but they have taken 5 or more in three of their opening four Nations League matches, including the 2-2 draw away to Ireland on matchday three.

Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign offers further encouragement.

They conceded 9 corners away to Portugal and 8 away to Hungary before giving up 6 against the Czech Republic in their play-off tie.

Canada racked up 12 corners against Ireland in a friendly back in June, which adds to the appeal of backing Austria to clear the over 4.5 hurdle.

Troy Parrott looks well placed to attempt at least two shots against Austria on Saturday night.

The Ireland forward is increasingly cutting a talismanic figure for his country, having scored 4 goals across his last three outings, including a brace against Austria in the reverse fixture.

He scored with 2 of his 3 attempts against the Austrians, while he also had 4 efforts against Israel last time out, one of which found the net.

Parrott finished World Cup qualifying strongly too, scoring 6 times across his final three outings and delivering 3 or more shots in each of those contests.

He has been in and out of the Real Betis side in La Liga this season, but still got multiple efforts away against Elche last weekend.

Parrott has also attempted at least 2 shots in Champions League appearances against both Feyenoord and Lille this term.

Austria have looked shaky at the back throughout their Nations League campaign, so I fancy Parrott to get at least two shots away again on Saturday night.

I’m also keen to back Troy Parrott to be fouled at least once at the Raiffeisen Arena on Saturday night.

The Ireland forward works tirelessly up front, looking to stretch defences with runs in behind, working the channels and holding the ball up with his back to goal.

That makes him a handful for defenders, who regularly end up fouling him.

Indeed, Parrott has been fouled 5 times in four Nations League appearances for Ireland, including once against Austria in Dublin last month.

He also won a free kick away to the Czech Republic in March’s play-off tie.

His recent domestic figures for Real Betis add weight to the case, with Parrott having been fouled five times across his last two La Liga appearances.

He is likely to get drawn into plenty of physical duels with Kevin Danso, who has committed 5 fouls across his three Nations League appearances for Austria and gave away multiple free kicks in their home game against Israel.

This is a really tight group, with Kosovo and Ireland both sitting on five points while Austria have a narrow lead at the top with eight points.

The meeting between these two nations in the last international break produced four goals as the sides played out a 2-2 draw.

It’s fair to say that Ireland bottled it a bit on that occasion, conceding two goals in the space of six minutes to surrender their first half advantage with both sides posting a healthy xG (1.62-1.37).

Austria have seen 2+ goals in all four of their games in the Nations League, and could cover this line on their own - as they have done in three of the games, netting 3+ goals against both Israel and Kosovo.