"The most important game"

Last week, the Veilchen drew 3-3 away to series champions FC Red Bull Salzburg despite being 2-0 down at the break and came close to a win. After a late equaliser from the penalty spot, it was the second draw in the champions' group. As a result, Austria (5th, 18pts) are one point behind their city rivals (4th, 19) in fifth place ahead of the derby, while LASK (3rd, 23) are five points clear of Violett in third. LASK will meet Salzburg on Sunday at 14:30.

Austria won the first two derbies of the season, 2-1 in Hütteldorf with goals from Husković and Fitz, and 2-0 in Favoriten four weeks ago in the final of the basic round with goals from Tabaković and Leidner. Austria have always scored in the last nine derbies, and the Veilchen are unbeaten at Allianz Stadium since it opened in 2016.

Sporting director Manuel Ortlechner: "The derby is of course a very special and also very important game for us from a sporting point of view. The team has shown great performances in recent weeks. The drive that the team showed last Sunday still commands our respect. It was always our goal to play as courageous and intense football as the team showed in Salzburg. We take the broad chest with us, but we have to look ahead, because all that is water under the bridge. We have to confirm the performances week after week."

Coach Michael Wimmer: "The derby is the most important game. There is a lot at stake. We don't want to lose touch with third and fourth place - that's why it's also an important game in terms of points. Our team is stable and intact, it performed top against Salzburg - that's why we're going into the derby with a broad chest. We have the support of our fans behind us again - our sector is sold out - and together with them we want to put in a top performance.

Personnel news

Lucas Galvão tore a muscle fibre in his calf before the match against Salzburg and is currently not in training. Georg Teigl has back problems and will probably not be an issue for the squad on Sunday. Doron Leidner is out for a longer period of time with a torn ligament in his ankle, which he suffered in Salzburg. Otherwise, the four long-term injured Muki Husković, Ziad El Sheiwi, Florian Wustinger and Marko Raguž are still missing.