Celtic have failed to win four of their last six home European matches
LASK are unbeaten in their last six competitive away games
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Celtic’s quest to return to the Champions League group stage reaches a critical juncture on Wednesday night when Austrian champions LASK Linz arrive at Parkhead for the first leg of their play‑off tie.
Martin O’Neill has transformed Celtic’s domestic fortunes since January, but Europe — and specifically Champions League qualifying — has been their recurring downfall.
The Hoops have failed to progress through qualifying in five straight attempts, and their last play‑off success came nine years ago when they beat Astana 8‑4 on aggregate.
However, they did warm up with a comfortable 4-0 Scottish League Cup win at Dundee United on Saturday.
LASK, meanwhile, come into this tie flying after scoring nine times and conceding only once while opening up their Austrian Bundesliga title defence with three straight victories.
The latest Celtic vs LASK odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team News
Celtic have a couple of selection dilemmas after the sale of midfielder Arne Engels to West Ham and the injury that prevented Yang Hyun-jun from facing Dundee United.
New signing Mika Baur could be thrust into the starting line-up sooner than expected after making his debut on Saturday as a replacement for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is suspended for both legs of this tie.
Sebastian Tounekti, who scored and assisted against the Terrors, is in line to feature on the left of a three-man attack featuring summer recruits Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh.
Alistair Johnston is ruled out through injury with teenager Colby Donovan vying with experienced Anthony Ralston for the right-back berth.
As for LASK, Dietmar Kuhbauer could be forced into at least one change from Friday’s impressive derby win.
A trio of starters went off injured against Ried, including leading scorer Samuel Adeniran.
Kuhbauer said the striker’s withdrawal was a precaution, but midfielder Sacha Horvath and wing-back Kasper Jorgensen could be greater concerns after receiving treatment on the pitch before exiting.
Xavier Mbuyamba, Joao Alemao and Andres Andrade will form LASK’s back three in front of Austrian Under-21 international goalkeeper Lukas Jungwirth.
Alessandro Schopf could come into midfield alongside Melayro Bogarde and Robert Ljubicic with Canadian youngster Nael Kane the likely replacement on the right if Jorgensen cannot make it.
Adeniran will hope to continue his successful partnership with last season’s top marksman Moses Usor up front.
The stats
Celtic have failed to progress through Champions League qualifying in five straight attempts.
LASK have scored nine goals and conceded once in their first three league matches.
The Austrian champions have won their last seven competitive matches and are unbeaten since March 22.
Celtic’s last play‑off success was an 8‑4 aggregate win against Astana in 2017-18.
Celtic and LASK’s only previous meeting ended 5‑2 to Celtic in a 2014 friendly.
LASK have scored multiple goals in their last nine competitive contests.
Celtic have won only three of 13 matches against Austrian sides in European competitions.
The latest Celtic vs LASK odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
This tie feels far more evenly balanced than the odds suggest and you do not have to cast your mind back too far for the last time the Hoops failed to deliver as favourites.
Kairat Almaty earned a 0-0 draw in Glasgow at the same stage of qualifying last season before knocking Brendan Rodgers’ side out on penalties after a similar outcome in Almaty.
O’Neill’s outfit are mentally stronger and more cohesive than in some of those recent qualifying failures, but LASK’s pace, power and confidence make them dangerous opponents.
The Austrian double winners have not tasted defeat since the spring and have the structure and individual quality in attack to claim at least a draw at Parkhead..
Score prediction: Celtic 1-1 LASK Linz
