Celtic vs LASK Predictions & Tips - Hoops Tipped to Claim Champions League First-Leg Advantage
Celtic face Austrian champions LASK in a Champions League play-off at Parkhead, with both teams entering on strong domestic form. Celtic have won their last 12 competitive matches, often scoring multiple goals, while LASK are on a nine-game winning run but struggle away in Europe. Key absentees and recent signings impact team selection, but Celtic's firepower and home advantage make them favourites to secure a first-leg win with at least two goals.
- Celtic host LASK in Champions League play-off tie
- Scots tipped to claim first-leg advantage on Wednesday
- Get our Celtic vs LASK tips for the Champions League qualifier
- Celtic vs LASK Predictions
- Hoops Backed at Celtic Park
- Celtic and LASK Set for First Competitive Encounter
- Celtic Maintain Perfect Start
- LASK Extend Winning Run
- Celtic vs LASK Team News
Celtic vs LASK Predictions
Celtic host Austrian champions LASK in an intriguing Champions League play-off on Wednesday.
Both teams have made perfect starts to their domestic campaigns, but home advantage should prove crucial for the hosts.
I’m backing Celtic to win and to score at least two goals.
Hoops Backed at Celtic Park
- Celtic won their last 12 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Celtic scored 2+ goals in 9 of their last 10 matches (competitive fixtures)
- LASK lost their last 7 away matches (European competitions)
- LASK conceded 2+ goals in 6 of their last 9 away matches (European competitions)
Celtic and LASK Set for First Competitive Encounter
Celtic and LASK have met on just one previous occasion. Celtic claimed a 5-2 friendly victory in Austria 12 years ago.
Wednesday’s Champions League play-off will be the first competitive meeting between the sides.
Celtic Maintain Perfect Start
Celtic return to Parkhead after cruising to a 4-0 League Cup victory against Dundee United at Tannadice.
Auston Trusty and Camilo Duran gave the Hoops a two-goal half-time advantage before Sebastian Tounekti and Benjamin Nygren completed an emphatic victory after the interval.
Dundee United were unfortunate not to breach the Celtic rearguard, with the hosts hitting the post twice before Trusy’s early opener.
Martin O’Neill’s side have enjoyed a productive start to their season. After a hard-fought 1-0 win against Dundee in their Premiership opener, the Hoops produced a more convincing display on matchday two, with Kasper Hogh scoring a hat-trick in a 5-1 victory at Kilmarnock.
Celtic have scored ten goals while conceding only once in their three competitive fixtures this season.
An impressive run of form since the end of last season has seen the Glasgow giants win each of their last 12 competitive fixtures. The in-form Scots scored an average of exactly three goals per game in those victories.
The Scottish champions will be determined to avoid another painful Champions League play-off elimination. The Hoops failed to score across 210 minutes before losing on penalties against Kazakh champions Kairat Almaty at this stage last year.
LASK Extend Winning Run
LASK travel to Glasgow full of confidence after extending their winning run with a comfortable 4-1 victory against Ried. Dietmar Kuhbauer’s side recovered from an early deficit and Robert Ljubicic’s second-half dismissal to claim an impressive Upper Austrian derby win.
Samuel Adeniran scored twice, with further goals from Moses Usor and Christoph Lang securing a one-sided win at Raiffeisen Arena.
The Austrian champions began their league campaign with a 3-0 home victory against Grazer AK before a 2-0 success at Austria Vienna. An excellent run of form has seen the visitors win each of their last nine competitive fixtures played since May.
LASK claimed a historic domestic double last season, winning their first Austrian title and cup since 1965.
The Linz side have never qualified for the main stage of the Champions League. Their only previous play-off appearance ended in a 3-1 aggregate defeat against Club Brugge in 2019.
LASK’s recent continental record is unconvincing, with the Austrians winning only one of their last 14 European matches. They finished 35th of 36 teams in last season’s Conference League league phase.
Celtic vs LASK Team News
Celtic: (4-2-3-1) Viljami Sinisalo; Colby Donovan, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney; Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate; Camilo Duran, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti; Kasper Hogh.
Celtic manager O’Neill has two expected absentees this week.
Alistair Johnston is unavailable after suffering an injury during Celtic’s 5-1 victory against Kilmarnock. Colby Donovan could continue at right-back after starting at Tannadice.
English veteran Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is suspended because of a red card received during his time with Besiktas in 2023.
New signings Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan made their debuts from the bench on Saturday and have been registered for the Champions League play-off.
Danish forward Hogh should lead the attack after scoring three goals in his first two league appearances for the Hoops.
O’Neill was pleased with Celtic’s performance but acknowledged that Dundee United had caused problems in last weekend’s win at Tannadice.
"I thought Dundee United were in the game; they hit the post [twice] before we scored a goal.
"Things like that can change the picture. Overall, I was pleased with a lot of the stuff they produced, but there were moments where we were really casual.
"It's a good performance for us considering the last time we were here.
"We have two very difficult matches coming up now in terms of trying to get into the Champions League, the prestige, the finance, everything that goes along with it."
LASK: (3-5-2) Lukas Jungwirth; Xavier Mbuyamba, João Tornich, Andrés Andrade; Kasper Jørgensen, Robert Ljubičić, Melayro Bogarde, Sascha Horvath, George Bello; Moses Usor, Samuel Adeniran.
LASK boss Kuhbauer has some selection issues to ponder. Samuel Adeniran, Sascha Horvath and Kasper Jorgensen are doubtful after all three were forced off during Friday’s victory against Ried.
Christoph Lang is pushing for a starting place after scoring twice in his first three appearances of the season.
Former St Mirren defender Miguel Freckleton is available after joining the Austrian champions this summer.
Despite LASK’s impressive recent form, Kuhbauer insists Celtic remain the stronger side.
"Celtic are not comparable to Ried, and they are a better team than us.
"We need fit players in Glasgow who give it their all from the first minute.
"Just defending there wouldn't be the best approach against Celtic. We need a balanced performance.
"Even though we ended up getting a good win here, I know we will need to perform much better in the first leg because European matches are a far higher standard."
Verdict
Celtic have impressed in the early weeks of the new season, and I expect the Scots to build a first-leg advantage at Parkhead.
I have my stake on Celtic to win with at least two match goals.
I have my stake on Celtic to win with at least two match goals.
Celtic/Over 1.5 Goals
Result/Total Goals
@9/10 - 4 Units
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