Sturm Graz vs Rapid Vienna - Bundesliga

When Sturm Graz and Rapid Vienna clash at the home ground on May 17, 2026, the stakes extend well beyond a single result — this is a Bundesliga fixture that carries real weight for both clubs. That coronation came from City's £116m summer signing Elliot Anderson - and has been hotly debated in the build-up to the Manchester derby Super Sunday showdown at Old Trafford, which you can watch live on Sky Sports.

There is little to choose between Sturm Graz and Rapid Vienna on paper, and the Bundesliga encounter should reflect that balance. Sturm Graz have been picking up results at a respectable clip, LLWWW over their last five with a season win rate of 50%. Rapid Vienna have made a habit of winning on the road, their W run backing up a remarkable season win rate of 83.33%. Their respective approaches this season have differed noticeably, and the tactical contrast could prove telling. Phil Foden was handed a free role in the No 10 position behind striker Muamba, who scored in consecutive pre-season games.

Pressing intensity will define the contest. Sturm Graz will seek to win the ball high up the pitch and suffocate Rapid Vienna's build-up, while the visitors will aim to play through the pressure and exploit the spaces it leaves behind. Every word from Enzo Maresca's press conference including Man City team news and Manchester derby admission.

The fixture is likely to be shaped by its key performers, with creative midfielders and clinical finishers on both sides capable of turning the game in an instant. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. On his Arsenal debut against Girona, Tzolis strode forward with confidence at his defender, cut inside defiantly and slotted an effort into the bottom corner, via a slight deflection.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 3-3 draw is easy to envisage. Whatever the outcome, the Bundesliga fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says a verdict on the alleged charges against Manchester City "has taken longer than expected".