Expect Ried to line up in their usual 4-2-3-1. Andreas Leitner in goal, a back four of Malicsek, Chukwudi, Steurer and Garcia. The double pivot of Maart and Nasrawe will sit deep, screening the defence and letting the attacking midfielders — Bajic, Schwab, Rhodes — roam behind the lone striker, likely Aisowieren. They'll look to control the middle of the park and hit GAK on the counter through the half-space runners.

Grazer AK will stick to their 3-4-3. Cican Stankovic starts in goal, with a back three of Owusu, Pines and Oberleitner. The wing-backs — Anderson Gomes on the left, Klassen on the right — will push high, but that leaves space in behind. The midfield duo of Michorl and Hermesh will be tasked with shielding that back three, but against a double pivot, they could get outnumbered. Lichtenberger, Hofleitner and Klassen (if he pushes up) form the front three, but they'll be isolated if the wing-backs get pinned back.

This is a midfield dogfight waiting to happen. Ried's 4-2-3-1 gives them a numerical edge in the centre — two holding midfielders against GAK's two. The wing-backs for GAK will be the key: if they get forward, they create overloads; if they get pinned, GAK become a back five with no outlet. Ried will smell blood on the counter. Set pieces could be decisive too — Ried have height in Steurer and Chukwudi, and GAK's back three can be vulnerable to second balls.