Kick-off in the Bundesliga: a spring with high-pressure areas

The spring promises a lot of excitement due to several points – be it in the title race, in the fight for the top 6 or in the relegation battle.

Sturm Graz

The master does not take a cold start, has two games in the Champions League and a defeat in the ÖFB Cup in the legs. Against Friday opponent Austria Vienna, they were eliminated 0-2 in the quarter-finals. The master who wants to defend the title and still laughs from the top of the table has to cope with the departures of Mika Biereth and Jusuf Gazibegovic. It remains to be seen how well the team of Ilzer successor Jürgen Saumel succeeds.

Viennese hope

For a long time, both Viennese clubs have been playing in the upper table of the table and – at least quietly and secretly – are even allowed to dream of a title. Austria is in second place, Rapid is third. The violets remain modest after the strong autumn and initially call the top 6 as the goal. Rather, they could realize the title dreams in the cup. Rapid, on the other hand, has strengthened well in winter and will know where you actually stand after the first competitive game at home against Wolfsberger AC.

Salzburg question mark

After the messed up autumn, the former serial champion wants to go back to the road to success with a new trainer and return to the old style of play. Ten points behind the top are a lot, the division of points should help. But so far: Under Thomas Letsch, it has only set defeats, as last in the Cup against LASK. How quickly does Salzburg recover? It is now clear to everyone that the turnaround does not succeed at the push of a button. But Letsch knows that time is urging: “We need results.” Sometimes: On Sunday, three points are mandatory in Klagenfurt.

Hinteregger-Comeback

Speaking of Klagenfurt. There Martin Hinteregger celebrates his comeback at a professional level-and that against his ex-club Salzburg. The now 32-year-old ex-ÖFB team player had surprisingly ended his professional career in 2022 and only kicked under-class. Now the Carinthian is back and wants to support Klagenfurt in the fight for relegation. And Hinteregger will probably also take care of one or the other headline in his second career.

Around the line

Who makes it into the top 6? Only six points separate the fourth (WAC) and the eighth (Hartberg). Salzburg also has to tremble around the top 6, blue and white Linz and the LASK also pushes up. Above all, the LASK, remained significantly below expectations in autumn, once again made a strong sign of life in the Cup.

Fourth fight in the basement

With Altach (10 points), the GAK (12), Klagenfurt (15) and the WSG (16), four clubs must be trembled for relegation.