Celtic begin their push for a place in the Champions League league phase on Wednesday evening when Austrian champions LASK visit Celtic Park for the first leg of their playoff tie.

Both teams have made perfect starts to the new campaign. Celtic have won all three of their competitive matches, while LASK arrive in Glasgow with four victories from four and 16 goals already to their name.

Celtic

Celtic finished last season in superb fashion, overturning Hearts’ advantage in the Scottish Premiership title race before beating their rivals 3-1 on the final day to retain the championship. Martin O’Neill’s side then completed a domestic double with another 3-1 victory, this time against Dunfermline in the Scottish FA Cup final.

Their pre-season preparations were less convincing, with Celtic failing to win any of their four friendlies, but that form has not carried into competitive action.

The Hoops opened their Premiership defence with a 1-0 victory over Dundee before producing a much more emphatic performance in a 5-1 win at Kilmarnock. A 4-0 Scottish League Cup victory over Dundee United followed, leaving Celtic with 10 goals scored and only one conceded across their opening three fixtures.

Attention now turns to a competition that provided significant disappointment last season. Celtic were eliminated by Kairat Almaty in the Champions League playoff round, and O’Neill’s side have been handed another difficult assignment at the same stage this year.

Home advantage could be crucial. Celtic have won each of their last seven competitive matches at Celtic Park, and establishing a lead before travelling to Austria will be the priority on Wednesday.

Summer arrivals Kasper Høgh and Camilo Duran have quickly strengthened the attack, with Høgh already scoring three times and Duran also opening his account. Both should retain their places against LASK.

Jota remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is suspended. With midfield options limited, O’Neill could adjust his formation and use Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Liam Scales together in a three-man defence.

LASK

LASK travel to Glasgow with every reason to believe they can make this a difficult evening for the Scottish champions. Dietmar Kühbauer’s side ended a 61-year wait for the Austrian Bundesliga title last season, finishing two points clear at the top and earning a place directly in the Champions League playoff round.

Their pre-season results were mixed, with three victories and three defeats, but LASK have been outstanding since competitive football began. Four matches have produced four victories, 16 goals and only one conceded. A 7-0 cup victory over SC Kalsdorf demonstrated their attacking strength before they put four past SV Ried in a 4-1 league win.

Samuel Adeniran has been at the heart of that start, scoring five times in four appearances. He should again partner Moses Usor, who has found the net in each of his last two matches, giving Celtic’s defence an attacking partnership that cannot be taken lightly.

What LASK lack compared with their hosts is recent experience at this level. Their last Champions League campaign came in 2019-20, when they reached the playoff round before losing 3-1 on aggregate to Club Brugge. The Austrian champions will also travel without Art Smakaj and Ramiz Harakate, who remain sidelined through injury.

Verdict

The perfect records of both teams make this an intriguing first leg, particularly given how freely they have been scoring. LASK’s 16 goals in four matches demonstrate that Celtic cannot simply concentrate on building an advantage without protecting themselves at the other end.

Celtic have been equally impressive since competitive action began, though, and their recent record at Celtic Park gives them the edge. With Høgh already making an impact and O’Neill’s side having scored nine goals across their last two matches, the hosts should create enough opportunities to take a lead to Austria.

Tip

Celtic to win and both teams to score.