- Celtic FC are the clear favourites to win at 1.57, but LASK Linz are a good price at 5.6 and the draw at 3.9 also makes a lot of sense.
- Celtic are unbeaten at home in all competitions this season with 4 wins and 2 draws from 6.
- LASK Linz have won 5 and lost 1 of their 6 competitive away games this season.
Champions League qualification on the line
It may only be the UEFA Champions League qualification edition for 2026, but there is still a lot on the line for Celtic FC and LASK Linz on Wednesday.
A place in the league phase, momentum for next season's European campaign and potential millions in financial gain are up for grabs, so neither side will take this Champions League play-off lightly.
Celtic arrive fresh from two consecutive victories in the Scottish Premiership 2026/2027 following a 1-0 home win over Dundee FC and a 5-1 away win against Kilmarnock.
But Martin O'Neill's men have been better than their form suggests as they've won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five competitive games.
With six wins, three draws and just one defeat in their last 10 in all competitions, Celtic have been playing at a winning level across an ever-improving season.
LASK are in a high-tempo groove
Dietmar Kuehbauer's LASK are also on a high, having beaten Grazer AK 1902 3-0 at home and FK Austria Wien 2-0 away to make it four wins and one defeat from their last five in the Bundesliga 2026/2027. They have also been devastating away from home in all competitions this term, winning five and losing one of their six trips. With 23 away goals, that's an average of 3.83 per game, so the home side need to be prepared for a real game. Kuehbauer's side are a direct, vertical team with a sharp press that does a great job of turning opponents over. A back-three shape with wing-backs means LASK will be particularly dangerous on the break, which could be the plan if they can get past Celtic's first press.
Celtic should win, but LASK will make it close
O'Neill's team play a much more control-based game with Celtic in possession and pressing high, which should suit them more as they look to pin LASK back.
Celtic's hybrid 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 system should give them plenty of width and they should be able to keep the pressure on LASK for the whole game, so long as they aren't exposed by LASK's first wave of pressure.
Camilo Duran has been an excellent outlet for Celtic over the last few games, scoring three of their ten goals in the last five matches, and LASK's Christoph Lang has been their sharpest edge, netting four of their 10 goals in the same timeframe.
In a match that will probably be dominated by Celtic, but where LASK's away prowess may keep it live and close, we're going to go with a Celtic win and Over 2.5 goals.
