LASK vs Celtic Predictions
LASK face a mountainous task when they take on Celtic in the second leg of their Champions League playoff tie on Tuesday.
Trailing by three goals, the Austrians will need to throw the kitchen sink at Celtic to try and fight their way back into the tie, and that should lead to an entertaining encounter.
I have my stake on BTTS and over 2.5 goals at Raiffeisen Arena.
Goals Backed in Linz
- LASK scored 1+ goals in 15 of their last 16 matches
- LASK have seen over 2.5 goals in 9 of their last 10 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Celtic have seen over BTTS & over 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 11 matches (competitive fixtures)
Celtic Win First-Ever Competitive Encounter
LASK and Celtic will meet for the third time on Tuesday. Celtic claimed an emphatic 3-0 victory at Celtic Park in their first-ever competitive meeting last week.
LASK Thumped in Glasgow
LASK return to Linz needing a significant turnaround to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in their history.
The Austrians registered 20 attempts, created two big chances and had two goals disallowed for offside. They also finished with a higher xG of 1.58 compared to Celtic's 0.93.
Despite their best efforts, a 3-0 first-leg defeat leaves LASK requiring a three-goal victory just to force extra time.
Dietmar Kuhbauer's men went into last week's first leg in superb form, having won each of their first four competitive matches.
The Austrian champions began the new season with a 7-0 cup victory against Kalsdorf before recording Bundesliga wins against Grazer AK (3-0), Austria Vienna (2-0) and Ried (4-1).
An impressive recent home record gives the Black-Whites some cause for optimism. LASK are unbeaten in their previous eight competitive matches at Raiffeisen Arena, although they have failed to win their last five European home fixtures.
Frequently involved in high-scoring outcomes, an average of 4.2 goals per game were scored in their last ten competitive fixtures.
Celtic Take Control of Tie
Celtic make the trip to Austria with one foot in the Champions League league phase after their dominant win at Parkhead last week.
Summer arrival Camilo Duran grabbed the headlines against the Austrian champions, with two superb long-range efforts after Benjamin Nygren’s first-half strike.
The in-form Scots have won each of their last 13 competitive fixtures since the end of last season.
Martin O'Neill's side bagged 12 goals in their three most recent victories, including superb away wins at Kilmarnock (5-1) and Dundee United (4-0).
Like the Austrians, high-scoring contests have been frequent for the Scottish champions. An average of 4.18 goals per game were scored in 11 competitive fixtures since May.
On the continent, only one of Celtic’s last nine European games saw fewer than three goals scored. Six of those matches also finished with both teams on the scoresheet.
LASK vs Celtic Team News
LASK:(3-4-1-2) Lukas Jungwirth; Xavier Mbuyamba, Joao Victor Alemao, Andres Andrade; Kasper Jorgensen, Krystof Danek, Robert Ljubicic, George Bello; Sascha Horvath; Moses Usor, Samuel Adeniran
LASK have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League playoff contest.
Ramiz Harakate remains a long-term absentee with an ACL injury.
In need of at least three goals, LASK will adopt an attack-minded approach with Samuel Adeniran and Moses Usor expected to lead the forward line.
Celtic:(4-3-3) Viljami Sinisalo; Colby Donovan, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney; Benjamin Nygren, Callum McGregor, Mika Baur; Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh, Hyun-Jun Yang
Celtic remain unable to call on Canadian full-back Alistair Johnston because of a hamstring issue. Portuguese forward Jota is a long-term absentee while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is suspended.
Colby Donovan impressed at right-back in the first leg and should retain his place, while in-form forwards Camilo Duran, Benjamin Nygren and Kasper Hogh are expected to lead the visitors' attack.
Veteran boss O’Neill insists there will be no complacency from Celtic as they look to finish the job in Austria.
“Honestly, I swear to you, there will be no complacency.
“The players know it; they absolutely do know that we’re playing against a really good side.
“They’re capable of scoring with a lot of pace up front. They’re strong, athletic and even their smaller lads are very, very quick. So we’ve got our work cut out.
“I don’t even think I’ll have to say anything to our lads, I really don’t.”