Basel vs LASK Linz Predictions

Basel proved that by scoring two away goals, even in defeat, that anything is possible, as they overturned a first-leg deficit to beat PSV in the last round. After their encouraging victory against one of Holland’s best sides, the Swiss hosts will fancy themselves to get the better of LASK, who’re largely inexperienced at this level.

When Basel went away to Eindhoven in the previous round, they struggled massively, so much so that they were hugely fortunate to score twice. However, on their own patch, the Swiss side looked far more comfortable, as they not only scored two goals, but generally carried a serious threat. After scoring twice and posting an very encouraging 2.34 expected goals for against a side of PSV’s calibre, Marcel Koller’s men look well positioned to hurt their inexperienced visitors, who have never played in the Champions League qualifiers before and who until last year hadn’t competed in Europe’s secondary competition since 1999.

After finishing 2^nd in the Austrian Bundesliga, LASK Linz bypassed the early rounds, so this will be their first taste of UCL qualifying.

Fortunately, Wednesday’s visitors aren’t entirely out of practice as two rounds of the domestic campaign have been and gone. First time out in the league, LASK beat Rheindorf Altach by two goals to nil, creating 1.65 expected goals for and conceding only 0.33, while they followed up that pleasing start by beating Austria Vienna 3-0 away from home, posting 1.31 expected goals for and conceding just 0.16.

Basel may well turn out to be better than both of LASK’s recent domestic opponents, though their early-season performances will leave Valérien Ismaël’s men feeling confident.

After beating PSV, Basel were always going to come into the home leg of this tie as warm favourite, though they’re tough to side with at such short odds. Admittedly, they’re likely winners, but LASK aren’t likely to roll over, despite their inexperience in Europe’s premier competition. Overall, the Swiss hosts look far too short.

One bet that does catch the eye is ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’. Basel showed both their ability to score and their inability to keep things tight during the previous round, while LASK have started their domestic campaign in fine attacking form, scoring five in two.

Add in the fact that Basel’s home game in the last round produced no less 3.66 expected goals, coupled with the fact that LASK have delivered expected goals for numbers of 1.65 and 1.31 in their first two domestic games, and backing the goals to arrive in no small number at St. Jakob-Park starts to make plenty of appeal.