Celtic Park plays host to the first leg of the Champions League play-off between Celtic and LASK. The home team will be keen to secure an advantage ahead of next week’s return clash in Austria.

Baur to start as Celtic face midfield reshuffle

A 4-0 League Cup win over Dundee United served as a gentle warm-up for this match for Celtic. Martin O'Neill fielded a strong starting lineup, but could make light changes in midweek, with new signing Mika Baur coming into the midfield.

Alistair Johnston has picked up an injury and hasn’t been included in the European squad, and key forward Jota is still sidelined. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is suspended for both legs of this crucial tie.

There was more transfer activity involving the Hoops at the weekend, with midfielder Arne Engels joining West Ham. Benjamin Nygren remains a solid option in the centre of the pitch, and he has scored in all three of his team’s competitive outings so far this term.

Celtic predicted lineup vs LASK (4-3-3): Sinisalo; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Tierney; McGregor, Baur, Nygren; Durán, Høgh, Tounekti.

Adeniran in form as LASK look to build on bright start

LASK have also benefited from direct entry into the play-off round, having won the Austrian Bundesliga last season for only the second time in their history. They’ve made a good start this time around too, with a 4-1 victory over Ried in their most recent outing.

Dietmar Kühbauer is not expected to make major changes to that lineup. He has minor fitness doubts over Sascha Horvath, Samuel Adeniran and Kasper Jørgensen, after the trio came off early on Friday. However, the visitors are hopeful that all three will start.

Adeniran scored a brace in that match. The forward struck 14 times in 34 outings for Die Schwarz-Weißen last term, and he has already netted three goals in the 2026/27 campaign.

LASK predicted lineup vs Celtic (3-5-2): Jungwirth; Mbuyamba, Tornich, Andrade; Jørgensen, Ljubičić, Bogarde, Horvath, Bello; Usor, Adeniran.

Celtic vs LASK Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Celtic to score first
  • Odds: 1.44 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Celtic 2-1 LASK
  • 22Bet Booking Code: HARJ6

Key stats:

  • Celtic have scored five first-half goals in three outings so far this season.
  • The Hoops have netted first in each of their past four competitive fixtures.
  • LASK have lost their previous seven European away games.

One clear advantage for Celtic is their extra continental experience. This is their 15th season in a row playing in the Champions League, while LASK have only ever played six matches in the competition, losing four of them.

The Glaswegians can always rely on passionate home support on nights like this at Celtic Park. They’ll be hoping to turn it into a fortress in Europe again this term, and they take momentum into this encounter, after 10 times across their opening three domestic fixtures.

Backing Celtic to score first using the 22Bet bonus of up to 122 $/€ is the smart pick.

Celtic vs LASK Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Kasper Høgh to score anytime
  • Odds: 2.28 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: CSUJ6

Kasper Høgh offers value to score anytime at odds of 2.28. The summer signing has settled quickly into life at Celtic, scoring a hat-trick in only his second appearance against Kilmarnock.

He also excelled in this competition for Bodø/Glimt last term. The 25-year-old scored five times in 12 Champions League appearances as the Norwegians reached the knockout stage.

Verdict: Celtic to score first (1.44) — Celtic 2-1 LASK