Hartberg vs Red Bull Salzburg Prediction: Battle of two poor teams

Austria Bundesliga will move to PROfertil ARENA, where Hartberg will play host to Red Bull Salzburg. The two teams are coming off a series of poor performances and will hope to get a better result. Let's preview this game and make predictions.

Hartberg lost to Austria Vienna the previous weekend and will hope to get a better result here. In a game that ended 1-0, Tin Plavotic's lone strike was the difference of the day, being the hero for his side. However, Hartberg failed to win a game in November, having played four times. Hartberg lost to Sturm Graz and First Vienna in that run while drawing LASK Linz. This season, Hartberg have 16 points from a possible 39. In 13 matches played, the home side scored 16 goals while conceding 17 as they sit 8th in the standings. 

Red Bull Salzburg continued to struggle, and once again, they suffered a defeat, this time against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. In that encounter, Red Bull Salzburg conceded three times before the break, with Florian Wirtz and Alejandro Grimaldo netting for their side. However, Patrick Schick and Aleix Garcia's goals in the second half were enough to see this team lose their third game in a row, having lost to BW Linz and LASK Linz in prior encounters. In the league this season, Red Bull Salzburg have conceded 16 goals, while scoring 16. From 12 games played, the visiting team sits 6th, accumulating 18 points in that run. 

I have consistently trusted Red Bull Salzburg and backed them in consecutive games this season, and that won't stop despite their struggling performances. Considering how well they have played over the years, it is tough to write off the visiting team. However, while Hartberg are at home, the home side has failed to get things right also, with disappointing performances since the start of November. The two teams are currently struggling and have much to prove. Yet, Red Bull Salzburg have the better squad and team; hence, a win for them. Also, while their past meetings have ended with high scores, this game is not expected to be any different, as the two teams' defences are playing below par.