LEOBEN, Austria (Interstat) — A critical Landesliga clash Friday pits Leoben against visiting Bad Waltersdorf at a time when both teams are desperate to climb away from the lower reaches of the Austrian regional table. Kickoff is set for May 29.

Bad Waltersdorf (5-1 winners over Koflach on May 22) enters with momentum, having scored multiple goals in three of its last four outings. That includes a 3-0 home victory over Leoben on Oct. 31 in the most recent head-to-head meeting. However, the visitors have been inconsistent: they managed only one win in their previous six league matches before the Koflach rout, posting a 1-2 loss to Gnas, a 3-3 draw at Ilzer SV and a scoreless draw against Furstenfeld.

Leoben lost 4-2 at Furstenfeld in its most recent match May 22, extending a stretch of five defeats in six games. The home side managed a lone 1-0 win at Schladming on April 30 but were shut out in four of their previous five contests. Leoben’s season record includes a 3-2 victory over Pachern and a 3-0 win against GUnion amlitz, balanced by heavy losses to Hocheg Dacher E/H (5-1) and Fehring (5-3).

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 2-1 win for Leoben, but the home team will need to solve a Bad Waltersdorf side that outscored them 3-0 in the fall. Both clubs sit near the bottom of the standings; a win Friday could provide vital separation as the season enters its final stretch.

After Friday, Bad Waltersdorf hosts Wildon on June 5. Leoben travels to Gnas the same day.