Celtic face confident LASK in crucial Champions League qualifying tie at Celtic Park

Celtic begin their UEFA Champions League qualifying play-off campaign against LASK on Wednesday, with both clubs arriving at Celtic Park in strong form and aiming to gain an advantage in the first leg.

The match will be played at 19:00 GMT on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, in Glasgow. It is the first competitive meeting between the two sides, who have never previously faced one another in an official competition.

Celtic secured the Scottish championship after a fiercely contested season and have made an impressive start to the new campaign. Martin O’Neill’s side have won each of their three matches so far, beating Dundee 1-0, Kilmarnock 5-1 and Dundee United 4-0.

That run has given the Scottish champions confidence before their opening play-off fixture. Victory would put Celtic in a strong position before the return match and move them closer to a place in the Champions League proper.

LASK also enjoyed an outstanding previous season, claiming the Austrian title after finishing third in the regular-season phase. The Linz club have continued that form at the start of the new campaign, recording wins over GAK, Austria Vienna and Ried.

Their three victories came by convincing margins: 3-0 against GAK, 2-0 away to Austria Vienna and 4-1 against Ried. LASK’s recent results mean Celtic will face opponents who are similarly well prepared and in a positive run of form.

Despite that, Celtic are considered the favourites because of home advantage. Their chances of winning are rated at 63%, while the probability of a draw is put at 25%. LASK are given a 12% chance of taking victory in Glasgow.

Africafoot’s prediction is a 3-1 win for Celtic.

The match is scheduled to be shown on Canal+ in France, while Amazon Prime Video holds the broadcast rights in Germany and the United Kingdom. In the United States, coverage is available through Paramount+, CBS, Fubo, DAZN and TUDN/ViX.

DAZN will show the game in Canada, with Canal+ Sport Afrique broadcasting it in Africa. Stan Sport is the listed broadcaster in Australia, TNT Sports will carry the fixture in Brazil, and ESPN will show it across Latin America.

The betting company 1xBet lists Celtic at 1.58 to win, with a draw priced at 4.30 and a LASK victory at 6.25.

The first leg gives both teams the opportunity to establish an early advantage, but Celtic will be expected to make the most of playing in front of their home support at Celtic Park. LASK, meanwhile, will look to carry their strong domestic form into their first meeting with the Scottish champions.