LASK vs Celtic Prediction & Betting Tips (25 August)

The UEFA Champions League 2026/27 playoff return leg sees LASK host Celtic at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, with the Austrian champions facing a formidable three-goal deficit after falling 3-0 at Celtic Park in the first leg. A place in the lucrative Champions League league phase hangs in the balance, and while Celtic hold a commanding advantage built on Benjamin Nygren's opener and a Camilo Durán double in Glasgow, LASK will draw on their passionate home support to attempt a historic comeback. This tie represents the first ever competitive meeting between the two clubs, adding extra intrigue to a high-stakes European night where the winners will advance to the league phase draw on 27 August.

LASK's squad for the 2026/27 season is anchored by the core that delivered their first Austrian Bundesliga title since 1964-65, with manager Dietmar Kuhbauer relying on goalkeeper Lukas Jungwirth, a back three of Xavier Mbuyamba, Alemão and Andrés Andrade, a hard-working midfield featuring Kasper Jørgensen, Robert Ljubičić, Melayro Bogarde, Sascha Horvath and George Bello, and an attacking pairing of Samuel Adeniran and Moses Usor. The Linz side have shown resilience in recent months, though they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sturm Graz in late April. European odds for the home win in this return leg sit around 2.40, reflecting both the difficulty of overturning the deficit and LASK's proven goal-scoring threat at the Raiffeisen Arena.

Celtic's 2026/27 squad blends established Scottish Premiership winners with exciting summer arrivals, featuring Viljami Sinisalo in goal, defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Liam Scales, wing-backs Tony Ralston and Kieran Tierney, midfield general Callum McGregor, and a potent front three of Benjamin Nygren, Colombian import Camilo Durán and Kasper Høgh. Martin O'Neill's side have started the campaign in ruthless fashion, though their recent record includes a shock 2-0 defeat at Dundee United in March, a thrilling 2-3 comeback victory away to Kilmarnock in February, and a tight 1-0 home win against Dundee FC back in December.

European odds for the second leg reflect the delicate tactical balance, with LASK priced around 2.40 to win on the night, the draw at 3.40 and Celtic available at 2.80 despite their three-goal cushion. The Scottish champions may look to control possession and exploit space on the counter-attack, while LASK's need to chase the game from the first minute should produce an open, entertaining contest in Linz. Our prediction is a 3-1 victory for LASK on the night, a result that would still see Celtic advance 4-3 on aggregate and secure their place in the Champions League league phase for the 2026/27 sea