VIENNA (Interstat) — A crucial mid-table Austrian 2. Liga clash is set for Friday when Austria Lustenau hosts First Vienna at Planet Pure Stadion.

The matchup, a rematch of a 1-1 draw in August, pits two sides with contrasting recent trajectories. First Vienna (6-6-8) enters with momentum from a 2-1 home victory over St. Pölten on Feb. 20, part of an uneven but improved run that includes a 3-1 win at Liefering on Feb. 8.

Austria Lustenau (7-7-6), however, has not played a competitive match since Dec. 12, 2025, a 1-0 win at Wels. Their form before the lengthy winter break was strong, with three wins and a draw in their last four outings.

The historical data suggests a tight contest. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-1 draw, mirroring the result from their last meeting. First Vienna’s season has been marked by volatility, featuring a notable 2-0 win over Sturm Graz II but also heavy defeats, including a 3-0 loss to S-W Bregenz.

Austria Lustenau has shown more consistency, with their last defeat dating to Oct. 17. Key performances include a 3-2 win over Austria Vienna and a 2-1 victory at S-W Bregenz.

A win for either side would provide a significant boost in positioning ahead of the final stretch. First Vienna faces a busy schedule after this match, with seven more fixtures through May 2, starting with a home game against Young Violets Austria Wien on March 15.

Austria Lustenau, after this return from hiatus, will embark on a similar seven-game run to conclude the season, traveling to Floridsdorfer on March 20.

Kickoff in Lustenau is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time (1830 GMT).