Celtic vs LASK Linz will take place at 19:00 UTC on August 19 in the first leg of the 2026/27 Champions League play-off round. Mysoccertips provides a full analysis of the latest team news, predicted lineups, key statistics and match prediction.

Celtic vs LASK Linz Form Guide

Celtic head into this crucial Champions League play-off tie on a five-match unbeaten run, including three consecutive victories.

If friendly matches are excluded, the Scottish champions have won each of their last nine competitive fixtures.

Their home record is even more impressive. Celtic have won their last six competitive matches at Celtic Park, highlighting just how difficult they are to beat in front of their own supporters.

Their pre-season results, however, were far less convincing. Celtic lost once and drew three times in their four friendlies.

Once the competitive matches began, though, their performances improved significantly, with three consecutive victories demonstrating that the team are now operating at a much higher level.

LASK Linz are also in excellent form.

The Austrian side have won their last five matches and have been particularly impressive away from home. LASK have won each of their last six away games.

Even more impressively, they kept clean sheets in five of those six victories.

That record suggests this could be a closely fought and entertaining encounter rather than a one-sided contest like the meeting between these clubs more than 12 years ago.

Celtic vs LASK Linz Head-to-Head Record

The two sides have only met once previously.

That encounter came in a friendly 12 years ago, with Celtic securing a convincing 5-2 victory.

However, Celtic's broader record against Austrian opposition in European competition is more complicated.

The Scottish side have faced Austrian clubs 13 times in continental competitions, recording three wins, three draws and seven defeats.

Interestingly, all three of Celtic's victories against Austrian opposition came at home.

That statistic could prove significant when LASK arrive at Celtic Park for this first leg.

Latest Team News

Celtic: Jota is unavailable through injury.

LASK Linz: Harakate and Smakaj are also sidelined with injuries.

Predicted Lineups

Celtic (4-2-3-1): Sinisalo; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Scales; McGregor, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Duran, Nygren, Tounekti; Hogh.

LASK Linz (3-5-2): Jungwirth; Mbuyamba, Tornich, Andrade; Molgaard Jorgensen, Ljubicic, Bogarde, Horvath, Bello; Usor, Adeniran.

Key Stats and Trends

Both Teams to Score

Twelve of Celtic's last 14 matches have seen both teams find the net.

LASK Linz have also scored in each of their last six matches, while 12 of Celtic's last 14 home games have ended without either side keeping a clean sheet.

That makes goals at both ends a strong possibility.

Celtic to Score in the First Half

Celtic have scored at least once before half-time in four of their last five matches.

The same trend has been even more pronounced at home, with the Hoops finding the net in the first half in 16 of their last 19 home games.

Another early goal could therefore be on the cards at Celtic Park.

Over 2.5 Goals

Fourteen of Celtic's last 19 matches have produced at least three goals.

LASK Linz have seen the same outcome in 15 of their last 20 matches.

Furthermore, eight of Celtic's last 11 home games and seven of LASK Linz's last nine away matches have featured at least three goals.

Celtic vs LASK Linz Key Statistics

• Celtic are unbeaten in their last eight home matches in all competitions, recording six wins and two draws.
• Excluding friendlies, LASK Linz are unbeaten in their last 13 matches, with 10 wins and three draws.
• Celtic have won their last six competitive home matches.
• LASK Linz have won six consecutive away matches.

Celtic vs LASK Linz Prediction

Both teams enter this Champions League play-off in excellent form, making this first leg difficult to call.

LASK Linz's outstanding away record means Celtic cannot afford to underestimate their Austrian opponents. However, Celtic's home form and strong record against Austrian teams at Celtic Park give the hosts a significant advantage.

The statistics also point towards an entertaining encounter, with both teams likely to score and three or more goals a realistic possibility.

Celtic should ultimately have enough quality and home advantage to secure a narrow first-leg victory.