Celtic vs LASK Linz: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | 19 August 2026

Celtic vs LASK Linz prediction: both sides arrive with perfect competitive records, but Celtic’s stronger European experience and home advantage at Celtic Park give them the edge. LASK’s attacking form makes them dangerous, yet Goal.mu expects the Scottish champions to take a first-leg lead.

Match Details

Match Preview

Celtic welcome LASK Linz to Celtic Park on Wednesday with both clubs arriving in outstanding form and one tie away from the Champions League league phase.

The Scottish champions have won all three competitive matches this season, while LASK have made an equally flawless start with four victories from four.

For Celtic, this playoff also carries an element of unfinished business after missing out on the league phase last season following defeat to Kairat Almaty at the same stage.

LASK, meanwhile, are chasing a return to Champions League qualifying success after last appearing at this level in 2019-20.

Celtic Team Analysis

Celtic ended last season in dramatic fashion by winning the Scottish Premiership on the final day before adding the Scottish FA Cup.

Pre-season was less convincing, but Martin O’Neill’s side have started the new competitive campaign with maximum points and increasingly impressive attacking output.

They opened with a 1-0 win over Dundee before beating Kilmarnock 5-1 and Dundee United 4-0.

That means Celtic have scored 10 goals in their opening three matches, with summer signings Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran already making an impact.

LASK Linz Team Analysis

LASK arrive as reigning Austrian champions after winning their first Bundesliga title since 1964-65.

Dietmar Kuhbauer’s side have made an excellent start to the new season, winning all four competitive fixtures and scoring 16 goals while conceding just once.

That includes emphatic 7-0 and 4-1 victories over SC Kalsdorf and SV Ried.

Samuel Adeniran has been central to their attacking success, scoring five goals in four appearances, while Moses Usor has also found the net in each of his last two games.

European Context

Celtic possess the greater recent European experience and will be determined to avoid a repeat of last season’s playoff disappointment.

LASK’s last Champions League qualifying appearance came in 2019-20, when Club Brugge eliminated them 3-1 on aggregate in the fourth qualifying round.

Tactical Battle

Celtic may be forced into a back three because of limited midfield options, with Carter-Vickers, Trusty and Scales forming the defensive line.

Ralston and Tierney can then operate as wing-backs, while McGregor and Nygren provide the central platform.

Duran, Hogh and Tounekti should give Celtic a fluid front three capable of pressing high and attacking the spaces around LASK’s back line.

LASK are also expected to use a back three, with Adeniran and Usor leading the attack.

The key battle could come in wide areas, where both teams will rely heavily on their wing-backs to provide attacking width.

Team News

• Celtic: Jota remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury.
• Celtic: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is unavailable through suspension.
• Celtic: Kasper Hogh has already scored three goals this season and should retain his place.
• Celtic: Camilo Duran has also made a positive start and is expected to remain in the XI.
• LASK Linz: Art Smakaj and Ramiz Harakate are unavailable because of ongoing injury issues.
• LASK Linz: Samuel Adeniran should continue up front after scoring five goals in four appearances.
• LASK Linz: Moses Usor is expected to partner Adeniran after scoring in his last two matches.

Predicted Lineups

Celtic: Sinisalo; Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Scales; Ralston, McGregor, Nygren, Tierney; Duran, Hogh, Tounekti.

LASK Linz: Jungwirth; Mbuyamba, Alemao, Andrade; Jorgensen, Ljubicic, Bogarde, Horvath, Bello; Adeniran, Usor.

Betting Tips

• Full-time result: Celtic win.
• Double chance: Celtic or draw.
• Both teams to score: Yes.
• Over/Under 2.5 goals: Over 2.5 goals.
• Correct score: Celtic 2-1 LASK Linz.

Score Prediction

Goal.mu predicts: Celtic 2-1 LASK Linz.

LASK’s attacking numbers make them difficult to dismiss, but Celtic’s stronger European experience, home support and excellent early-season scoring form should give them enough to edge the first leg.

Hot Stat

Celtic have scored 10 goals in their opening three competitive matches, while LASK Linz have scored 16 times and conceded only once across four games.

Final Analysis

This should be a far more competitive tie than the difference in European pedigree might suggest.

LASK arrive with genuine attacking momentum and confidence, but Celtic Park, recent European experience and the hosts’ excellent early-season form tilt the first leg towards the Scottish champions. Goal.mu backs Celtic to win 2-1.