UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP B
Date: Sun 8 June Kick-off: 1700 BST Venue: Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna
Austria have yet to name their team, but captain Andreas Ivanschitz says they will start with two forwards.
Croatia defender Vedran Corluka has shaken off a knock on his Achilles tendon, which he picked up on Friday.
And coach Slaven Bilic sprung no surprises in his team selection, and will send out his side in their traditional 4-4-2 line-up.
In the absence of the injured Eduardo da Silva, Croatia's attack will be led by Mladen Petric and Ivica Olic.
Croatia's defence is considered a weaker part of their team and Ivanschitz made it clear Austria will try to take advantage of that percieved frailty.
He said: "Their central defence is vulnerable. With our fleet-footed strikers, we can hurt them."
However, Croatia's midfield is rated as very strong with skilful playmakers Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar pulling the strings.
Dario Srna - the main supplier of crosses - and veteran captain Niko Kovac will provide able support.
Up front Petric has scored nine goals in 21 appearances for Croatia, while Olic has hit nine in 51 internationals.
Head-to-heads
Austria and Croatia have met three times before, all encounters were friendlies.
Croatia won all three matches, most recently on 23 May 2006 when they won 4-1 in Vienna. Ivan Klasnic (2), Bosko Balaban and Marko Babic scored for the visitors. Andreas Ivanschitz scored the only goal for Austria.
Team facts - Austria
Are making their European Championship debut. Four nations have won this tournament on their debut. They are: Soviet Union (1960), Spain (1964), Italy (1968), West Germany (1972). The last host nation to win this tournament was France in 1984.
Austria's 5-1 win over Malta in their final warm-up match marked just their second win in the last 16 matches. They have not won any of their last six matches in the Ernst Happel Stadion.
Team facts - Croatia
Taking part in a European Championship for the third time. Their best performance came in 1996 when they reached the quarter-finals.
Coach Slaven Bilic played in all four of Croatia's matches that year. Bilic will be 38 years and 271 days old on Sunday, making him the fifth youngest coach in the history of this tournament. Slovenia's Srecko Katanec became the youngest coach ever at a European Championships. He was 36 years 333 days during the 2000 tournament.
Failed to win their last five matches at European Championships (two draws, three defeats). Their last European Championship win dates back to 16 June 1996, when they beat Denmark 3-0 in the group phase.
Player facts - Austria
Rene Aufhauser was Austria's top scorer with six goals during their two-year friendly campaign (24 matches).
Backup goalkeeper Ramazan Ozcan (Hoffenheim) joins Poland's Marek Saganowski (Southampton) and Germany's Oliver Neuville (Borussia Monchengladbach) as the only Euro 2008 players to have played their 2007-08 club football below the top flight.
If selected, Martin Hiden will be making his 50th international appearance for Austria.
Ivica Vastic is the only player in the squad who has ever played at a major international tournament. He played in three matches at the 1998 Fifa World Cup.
Player facts - Croatia
Dario Simic returns to a European Championship tournament for the third time, following Euro 96 and Euro 2004. He has played four previous matches at this tournament which makes him Croatia's joint record holder.
Hrvoje Vejic will turn 31 on the day of this match.
Eduardo da Silva was Croatia's top scorer in qualification with 10 goals. He will miss Euro 2008 after suffering a broken leg while playing for Arsenal in the Premier League in February.
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