Liam Duckstein
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Kosovo’s predicted lineups clash with Austria’s in Pristina for this UEFA Nations League fixture kicking off on Sunday 4 October 2026, and the team news is really a question of who Ralf Rangnick is missing rather than who Franco Foda can call upon. Four Austria absentees shape the visitors’ options here, while the hosts appear to have a clean bill of health in the data used for this projection. Both sides’ expected XIs below are built from recent starts, not any official announcement.
Kosovo Predicted XI
Franco Foda’s side is projected in a 4-2-3-1, the coach’s own preferred shape, and this is a rotating side – only 5 of the projected XI started their last match, so there’s real churn even across a small three-match sample. Arijanet Murić has started two of those three matches in goal despite being left out last time out, while Ilir Krasniqi has started all three and looks the most secure name in the back line. Elsewhere the midfield options largely cluster around one or two starts each, underlining how fluid Foda’s selection has been.
Kosovo predicted XI: Arijanet Murić; Ilir Krasniqi, Lumbardh Dellova, Mergim Vojvoda, Ron Raqi; Ermal Krasniqi, Dion Gallapeni, Veldin Hodza, Leon Avdullahu, Milot Avdyli; Baton Zabergja
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 3 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Arijanet Murić | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| D | 4 | Ilir Krasniqi | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 5 | Lumbardh Dellova | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 15 | Mergim Vojvoda | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 2 | Ron Raqi | 1/3 | 1/3 |
| M | 17 | Ermal Krasniqi | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 2 | Dion Gallapeni | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 20 | Veldin Hodza | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 23 | Leon Avdullahu | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 3 | Milot Avdyli | 1/3 | 1/3 |
| F | 11 | Baton Zabergja | 2/3 | 2/3 |
Predicted Austria Line-up
Austria are also set up in a 4-2-3-1, which matches Ralf Rangnick’s own preferred formation, and this looks a settled side – 11 of the projected XI started their last match, as settled a reading as this kind of projection can give. Xaver Schlager has started all three matches used here and anchors the midfield, while Carney Chukwuemeka has only one start in the sample yet still started the most recent fixture, making him one to watch in this expected XI. The spread of starts across the back four is tighter than Kosovo’s, reinforcing the sense of continuity under Rangnick.
Austria predicted XI: Florian Wiegele; David Affengruber, Stefan Posch, Philipp Lienhart, Phillipp Mwene; Xaver Schlager, Nicolas Seiwald, Romano Schmid, Patrick Wimmer, Carney Chukwuemeka; Sasa Kalajdzic
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 3 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 12 | Florian Wiegele | 1/3 | 1/3 |
| D | 2 | David Affengruber | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| D | 5 | Stefan Posch | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| D | 15 | Philipp Lienhart | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| D | 16 | Phillipp Mwene | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 4 | Xaver Schlager | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 6 | Nicolas Seiwald | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 18 | Romano Schmid | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 21 | Patrick Wimmer | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 17 | Carney Chukwuemeka | 1/3 | 1/3 |
| F | 9 | Sasa Kalajdzic | 1/3 | 1/3 |
Team News and Confirmed Absentees
For Kosovo, no absentees are recorded in the data, leaving Foda with a full group to pick from heading into this match. Among the bench options, Vedat Muriqi stands out with two recent starts, giving the coach a ready-made attacking alternative if he wants to freshen up the forward line.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Wanner | M | injured | Foot injury |
| Nikolas Veratschnig | D | injured | Jumpers knee |
| Christian Zawieschitzky | injured | Adductor injury | |
| Sascha Horvath | M | injured | Hamstring Injury |
How These Line-ups Were Picked
Each predicted lineup here is built from the last three available matches for that side, with more recent matches weighted more heavily than older ones. Any player confirmed injured or suspended has been removed from contention before the projection is assembled. This is a projection, not a confirmed team sheet, and it will be updated once the official starting line-up is announced.
Read also: Kosovo vs Austria Head-to-Head: Record, Stats & Form as of 2 Oct 2026
Read also: Kosovo vs Austria Prediction: 04.10.2026 UEFA Nations League
FAQ
What formation are Kosovo and Austria expected to play?
Both sides are projected to line up in a 4-2-3-1, matching the preferred formations of Franco Foda and Ralf Rangnick respectively.
Who is predicted to start in goal for Kosovo and Austria?
Arijanet Murić is projected in goal for Kosovo, having started two of the last three matches used here, while Florian Wiegele is expected to start for Austria after starting the most recent one.
Who is unavailable for Kosovo vs Austria?
No absentees are recorded for Kosovo in the data, while Austria are without Paul Wanner, Nikolas Veratschnig, Christian Zawieschitzky and Sascha Horvath, all out injured.
When do Kosovo and Austria kick off?
The UEFA Nations League match kicks off on Sunday 4 October 2026.
Liam is a Sheffield-based sports journalist with a background as a futsal striker and a degree in Athletic Training. Renowned for his tactical expertise, Liam provides sharp analysis of all the major European football leagues, from the intricate playstyles of Serie A to the high-tempo battles of the Premier League. His coverage delves into formations, strategies, and player dynamics, offering a masterclass in football tactics. A vivid tennis fan, Liam never misses the drama of Grand Slam tournaments. Off the pitch, he enjoys darts as a hobby, participating in local leagues and writing passionately about the sport’s underrated brilliance.