Austria vs. Russia live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch Euro 2016 qualifying online

Group G in the European Championship qualifiers has taken an interesting shape after the first three matches, and it could become downright fascinating depending on this result. Everyone assumed going in that Sweden and Russia would run away with the group, but here we are heading in to the fourth matchday, and Austria are first with seven points, two ahead of either of the favorites.

While much of the focus for Austria's attack will be on Marc Janko and Zlatko Junuzović in the middle, a wide player like Harnik will be more important in a matchup like this. Harnik's direct runs and ability to penetrate defenses will force Russia to respect the wide areas of the pitch defensively instead of just compacting centrally as is their habit at times. If Harnik plays as well as he's capable of, his very presence could be enough to open up space for Janko and Junuzović to operate in and find success.

While Russia have turned in to a fine defensive outfit under Fabio Capello, but in terms of attack, things have been lackluster for awhile. Russia have scored ten goals in four matches since the World Cup, yes, but eight of those came against very low-level opposition in Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein. Against a Sweden side that's been struggling defensively, they could only manage a single goal, and could only manage one against a mediocre Moldova side at home last month.

If Russia can't improve their attacking form, their qualification run is going to be difficult. Austria aren't in possession of the greatest defense around, so this might be a good chance for Russia's attack to break out. If they keep looking flat and uncreative, though, this could be the start of a long, rough stretch for the one-time semifinalists.