- Celtic FC are the slight odds-on favourites with the bookies (187/100) against LASK Linz (17/10) with the Draw at 2/1.
- LASK have won 4 and lost 1 of their last 5, and won their last 2 home games, but Celtic have won 4 of their last 5, so both teams are in good form.
- Celtic FC have won 2 and drawn 1 of their last 4 away games, so they travel well, and LASK have won 3 and lost 2 of their last 5 at home, so home advantage will help the hosts.
Celtic look to have LASK’s number
LASK Linz and Celtic FC are set to face off in Austria this Tuesday evening in the UEFA Champions League Qualification 2026 with the prize of a group stage place and the riches that come with it.
The Bhoys will have the edge in terms of confidence and momentum having beaten Laskler 3-0 in this two-leg tie. That result gives Celtic the psychological advantage ahead of this game, as well as the tactical edge.
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has got The Hoops moving with a real tempo and his side have been able to press high and recover quickly in transition play, which has been particularly effective when playing out of 4-3-4 or 4-2-3-1 shapes.
LASK coach Dietmar Kuehbauer has given his team a variety of looks to switch between, ranging from 3-5-2 to 3-4-3 to a tweak on 4-2-3-1 in which his wing-backs and pacey forwards are key.
We think the clash of styles should open up the wide channels and the half-spaces between the defensive and midfield lines, and we also fancy Celtic to get more joy pressing the ball in LASK's build-up play.
Celtic have a real goal-getter in form right now in Camilo Duran, who has scored 5 of The Bhoys' 15 goals in the last 5 games, while LASK have relied on Christoph Lang to light up games for them, as he has scored 5 of their 12 goals in the same number of games.
LASK have the bite to make this interesting
Celtic FC have played 10, won 6, drawn 3 and lost just 1 of their 10 games in all current competitions, while LASK have won 6 and lost 4 of their 10 most recent games, so Celtic have the stronger profile overall, but the Austrians are in a good spell.
LASK's last 5 games reads: 0-2 away win at FK Austria Wien, 4-1 home win vs SV Ried and 3-0 defeat at Celtic FC, while Celtic's last 5 reads: 3-0 home win over LASK, 0-4 away win at Dundee United FC.
An away win with both teams to score looks less likely, but we think the Scottish Premiership giants are likely to edge it once more, although LASK's home bite means this could be another tight, tactical match in Austria. An under 2.5 goals bet at 27/20 looks the best bet as an alternative to the win & both teams to score.
