Hartberg 2-4 Sturm Graz result, stats and report

Hartberg edged out Ried 3-2 in a five-goal Austrian Bundesliga encounter on Sunday, with the home side doing enough to hold on despite a late Ried comeback that made the final stages far more uncomfortable than they needed to be.

Hartberg took all three points at Rheindorf Altach on Saturday despite being thoroughly second best in the territorial battle, scoring twice from limited opportunities to claim a victory that the statistics simply do not support.

Sturm Graz dominated the ball and the territory but could only manage a penalty equaliser after Austria Lustenau's tenth-minute header, finishing with eight yellow cards between the sides and a chaotic final whistle.

Salzburg host Sturm Graz on Sunday carrying a significant injury list and an xG figure that suggests they are creating far more than the scoreboard shows. The question is whether a depleted squad can hold its structure long enough to turn that promise into points.

Hartberg have not won a home league game in nine attempts, and LASK Linz arrive on the back of five consecutive victories. The structural mismatch here is significant.

LASK Linz arrive at Merkur Arena with a perfect record in the Austrian Bundesliga but precious little top-flight experience to draw on. Sturm Graz, carrying injury concerns and inconsistent form, will look to expose exactly that.

WSG Tirol sit bottom of the Austrian Bundesliga with just one point from three games, and Sunday's home fixture against Hartberg arrives at exactly the moment they can least afford to keep waiting for their first win.