GAK visits Rapid as Hartberg host Austria Wien in Austrian Bundesliga cellar clash

Possible line-ups published ahead of kick-off list Salzburg-based Zawieschitzky between the posts for Rapid, with a back four of Veratschnig, Boma, Drexler and Krätzig. The midfield pair is expected to be Mazurek and Kjaergaard, behind a forward line of Kitano, Konate and A. Sabitzer is absent with a muscle-bundle tear and Butler remains out following cruciate ligament surgery.

Rapid's likely XI and selection headaches

For GAK, the reported side had Hamzic in goal, with Murray, Boras, Kubatta and Gschösser across the back, Satin and Celic in central midfield, and Balic, Baden Frederiksen and Olakigbe behind striker Hinterseer. The visitor's bench options will be limited by the absences already confirmed in the build-up.

Sunday's late game moves the league's attention to eastern Styria, where TSV Hartberg face FK Austria Wien at the Profertil Arena with a 17.00 kick-off under referee Ristoskov. The two clubs both opened the new season with defeats, leaving this fixture looking like an early basement battle for both manager and board.

The head-to-head record adds weight to the occasion: across the 2025/26 season the four meetings between Hartberg and Austria produced two wins for Austria (3:1 away and 1:0 away) and two narrow Hartberg successes (2:1 and 1:0 at home). That recent symmetry suggests both clubs know each other intimately and that small margins will again decide the contest.

Hartberg v Austria: season head-to-head

Austria are expected to field Sahin-Radlinger in goal behind Handl, Buhari, Feddersen and a midfield featuring Ranftl, Lee K., Wustinger and Lee T. Hartberg's planned XI has Pecsi in goal, Wilfinger, Komposch, Spendlhofer, Coulibaly and Gerstl across the back, Kainz, Markus and Diarra in midfield, with Hoffmann and Gattermayer leading the line.

Hartberg are without the suspended Schopp and the long-term injured Fridrikas, who is recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture. Austria have no fresh suspensions reported. The compact Stadion-Pasching-style atmosphere of the Profertil Arena is expected to be full for what both clubs privately regard as a must-not-lose game.

Injuries and absentees

Speaking to APA ahead of the round, an Austria representative summed up the mood in Vienna: "Natürlich sind wir motiviert und wollen an diesem Sonntag der Kracher sein, der in Wien zündet." Translated: the club are motivated and want to be the standout performers who light up Vienna on Sunday.

Beyond the two Sunday fixtures, the wider matchday story tracks how the top and bottom of the Bundesliga table are beginning to take shape after only two rounds. Rapid, Salzburg and Sturm Graz are among the early pace-setters, while Hartberg, Austria and GAK are already fighting to avoid being cut adrift before the autumn international break.

With both Sunday clubs level on zero points, the winner at the Profertil Arena will at least climb off the foot of the table. For GAK in Hütteldorf, even a draw would represent a major step forward after a winless opening pair of fixtures that has put early pressure on the coaching staff.