Celtic seek Champions League return as LASK visit Glasgow in play-off first leg

Celtic will begin their bid to return to the UEFA Champions League after a one-year absence when they host LASK in the first leg of their qualifying play-off. The Austrian side have never reached either the group stage or the league phase of the competition, while Celtic are aiming to take another step towards Europe’s leading club tournament.

Celtic are expected to have almost a full squad available for the game, with Jota the only confirmed absentee because of injury. The Scottish champions will be looking to make home advantage count as they attempt to establish a lead before the return fixture.

Nygren is among the players attracting particular attention after contributing three goals and three assists already this season. Yang Hyun-jun and Tierney are also expected to play important roles, while Celtic’s summer additions Duran and Hogh will provide further attacking options.

Hogh has already scored three times in the league since joining the club. Celtic, however, also saw Maeda, Nawrocki, Welsh and Palma leave during the summer, meaning the side named for the play-off will contain a combination of established players and new arrivals.

Celtic’s expected line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Sinisalo

Defenders: Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Balance

Midfielders: Ralston, McGregor, Nygren, Tierney

Forwards: Duran, Hogh, Tounekti

LASK still waiting on key players

LASK will travel to Glasgow with injury concerns of their own. Harakate and Skamaj are unavailable, while Horvath and Adeniran remain doubts after being forced off during the previous weekend’s match.

Usor has already found the net this season, and Adeniran has scored twice despite his uncertain status for the play-off encounter. Jorgensen is another player Celtic will need to monitor, particularly in the midfield battle.

LASK will not be able to call on Kalajdzic, who spent last season on loan at the club but has since returned to Wolverhampton.

The Austrian side are expected to start with:

Goalkeeper: Jungwirth

Defenders: Xavier Mbuyamba, Alemao, Andrade

Midfielders: Jorgensen, Ljubicic, Bogarde, Horvath, Bello

Forwards: Adeniran, Usor

The match is the first leg of the Champions League qualifying play-off, with Celtic seeking to put themselves in the strongest possible position before the second meeting. For LASK, the tie represents an opportunity to reach the group stage or league phase of the competition for the first time in the club’s history.

The fixture is also attracting significant interest from bookmakers. 1xBet lists Celtic as the favourites, offering odds of 1.58 for a home win. A draw is priced at 4.30, while a LASK victory is listed at 6.25.

Both clubs will therefore approach the game with clear ambitions: Celtic want to restore their place among Europe’s elite after missing out last year, while LASK are attempting to break new ground in the Champions League.