LASK Linz vs Celtic: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | 25 August 2026

LASK Linz vs Celtic prediction: Celtic travel to Austria holding a commanding 3-0 first-leg advantage, but LASK’s chance creation at Celtic Park suggests this second leg may be more competitive than the aggregate score implies. Our prediction is LASK Linz 1-2 Celtic.

Match Details

• Fixture: LASK Linz vs Celtic
• Competition: UEFA Champions League
• Stage: Playoff qualifying round, second leg
• Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026
• Venue: Raiffeisen Arena
• First-leg score: Celtic 3-0 LASK Linz
• Prediction: LASK Linz 1-2 Celtic

Match Preview

LASK Linz return to Raiffeisen Arena facing a daunting three-goal deficit after Celtic’s 3-0 first-leg win in Glasgow.

The Austrian champions had entered the tie in outstanding form. Dietmar Kuhbauer’s side won the Austrian Bundesliga title for only the second time in club history after a superb post-split run, then opened 2026-27 with four consecutive victories across league and cup competition.

That momentum included a 7-0 OFB Cup win over SC Kalsdorf and league victories over Grazer AK 1902, Austria Wien and SV Ried. However, LASK’s perfect start came to an abrupt halt at Celtic Park.

The scoreline did not entirely reflect LASK’s attacking output. They registered 20 shots, created two big chances, had two goals narrowly ruled out for offside and posted 1.58 expected goals compared with Celtic’s 0.93.

Those numbers will give Kuhbauer some encouragement, particularly as LASK are unbeaten in their last eight competitive home fixtures. Their European home record is less convincing, though, as they are winless in their last five continental matches at Raiffeisen Arena.

Celtic, by contrast, arrive in complete control of the tie. Martin O’Neill’s side have won all four of their competitive matches this season and followed an efficient opening to the domestic campaign with a ruthless first-leg performance.

Benjamin Nygren and Camilo Duran delivered three superb finishes, with Duran scoring twice, to give Celtic a substantial cushion despite LASK’s stronger xG figure.

The Bhoys have also beaten Dundee 1-0 and Kilmarnock 5-1 in the Scottish Premiership, while Dundee United were dispatched 4-0 in the Scottish League Cup.

Celtic therefore enter Austria with form, momentum and a three-goal aggregate advantage. Their challenge is to avoid becoming passive and allowing LASK to turn the tie into an emotional contest.

LASK Linz Team Analysis

LASK’s first-leg performance demonstrated both why they can still make Celtic uncomfortable and why the task remains so difficult.

The Austrians created enough opportunities to score, particularly through direct attacking phases and pressure around the penalty area, but Celtic punished them with far greater efficiency.

Kuhbauer is unlikely to abandon the approach completely. With no room for caution, LASK need width, aggressive wing-back positioning and numbers arriving around the Celtic box.

Samuel Adeniran and Moses Usor are expected to lead the attack, with Sascha Horvath and Robert Ljubicic among the players tasked with supplying forward momentum.

The home record should encourage LASK, but they must balance urgency with defensive discipline. An early Celtic goal would make the aggregate situation almost impossible.

Celtic Team Analysis

Celtic’s position is straightforward: protect a commanding advantage without surrendering their attacking identity.

The first leg showed their capacity to punish opponents even when they are not dominating every statistical category. Duran and Nygren produced elite finishing moments, converting difficult chances from around the edge of the box.

O’Neill can therefore approach this match with a degree of tactical flexibility. Celtic do not need to chase the game, but they possess enough pace and movement to threaten when LASK commit players forward.

Kasper Hogh should offer a central reference point, while Duran and Yang Hyun-Jun can attack spaces on either side. Nygren remains a major threat arriving from midfield.

Callum McGregor’s experience could be particularly important in controlling tempo and preventing the second leg from becoming chaotic.

Head-to-Head

The first leg is the key reference point for this tie. Celtic won 3-0 at Celtic Park, with Nygren scoring once and Duran twice.

LASK nevertheless produced enough attacking pressure to suggest the margin could have been narrower, making the second leg more interesting than the aggregate score alone might suggest.

Form and Recent Context

LASK had won their first four competitive games of the new season before losing in Glasgow. That run included 16 goals scored across those four victories.

Celtic remain perfect across all competitions in 2026-27, with four wins from four and a strong blend of attacking output and defensive control.

The contrast is therefore between a LASK side attempting to rediscover their early-season momentum and a Celtic team carrying both form and a substantial first-leg cushion.

Tactical Battle

LASK are expected to push aggressively from the opening stages. Their wing-backs can provide width while multiple midfield runners try to overload Celtic’s defensive line.

That approach also creates risk. If LASK commit numbers forward, Celtic’s front line should have opportunities to attack open space in transition.

McGregor’s role may be central to the visitors’ game management. If Celtic can slow the match when necessary and move the ball cleanly through pressure, the hosts may struggle to build sustained momentum.

LASK’s best route back into the tie is an early goal. Without one, the requirement to score at least three times becomes increasingly difficult as the match progresses.

Team News

LASK Linz

LASK have no fresh injury concerns, but forward Ramiz Harakate remains unavailable because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Given the number of chances created in Glasgow, Kuhbauer may retain a similar structure rather than making wholesale changes.

Celtic

Celtic remain without Jota due to a cruciate ligament injury, but the remainder of the squad is expected to be available.

First-leg scorers Duran and Nygren should retain prominent roles, with Hogh and Yang Hyun-Jun also expected to feature in the attacking unit.

Predicted Lineups

LASK Linz possible starting lineup

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

Celtic possible starting lineup

Celtic: Sinisalo; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Tierney; Nygren, McGregor, Baur; Duran, Hogh, Hyun-Jun.

Betting Tips

Full-time result: Celtic to win.

Double chance: Celtic or draw.

Both teams to score: Yes.

Over/Under: Over 2.5 goals.

Correct score: LASK Linz 1-2 Celtic.

No bookmaker odds are attached because none were supplied.

Score Prediction

LASK Linz 1-2 Celtic.

LASK should create chances again, particularly with home advantage and the need to attack from the outset. However, the same aggression required to chase the tie is likely to leave spaces for Celtic’s forwards.

The visitors’ three-goal advantage means they can manage the contest more intelligently, while their recent finishing quality and strong start to the season make them favourites to win on the night as well.

Hot Stat

LASK produced 20 shots and 1.58 xG in the first leg despite losing 3-0, while Celtic scored three times from just 0.93 xG.

Final Analysis

LASK’s task is extremely difficult but not entirely without hope. Their first-leg attacking numbers showed they can trouble Celtic, and their unbeaten run at home gives them a platform from which to attack the tie.

Celtic, though, possess the decisive advantages: a three-goal lead, a perfect start to the season and a forward line capable of exploiting the spaces LASK must inevitably leave.

If O’Neill’s side remain composed and resist the temptation to retreat too deeply, they should secure their place in the Champions League league phase with another positive result.