A hotly anticipated matchup takes in the Austrian Football League Saturday, April 27 as the second-place Graz Giants (4-0) welcome the third-place Danube Dragons (2-1) to see who is going to bolster their place at the top of Austrian football.
The Graz Giants enter this pivotal matchup undefeated with wins over the Prague Black Panthers 15-7 in overtime, Mödling Rangers 13-0, Salzburg Ducks 20-17 and 49-21 over Raiders Triol. Judging by the scoreline, the Giants have had some close calls but have still managed to show resilience enough to come away the winners, though it could be argued that the Dragons are their toughest opponents yet.
Danube currently sit at 2-1 after a close 14-9 loss to the number one ranked team in the Vienna Vikings, with their wins coming 23-7 over the Raiders and Rangers in a 38-0 shutout. With a close run game for the Dragons against the Vikings, this game is very close in terms of who to pick for, because the Dragons could usurp the Giants spot in the rankings.
Both teams are fairly evenly matched in the statistics, ranked 5th for the Giants and 6th for the Dragons in rushing offense and 3rd and 4th respectively in passing offense and passing defense.
The defensive side of the ball is where these two squads differ with the Dragons having the best-rushing defense in the league whilst the Giants only have the sixth, so expect some more air in the attack from the Giants.
Danube Dragons @ Graz Giants
April 27, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am EDT)
