LASK Linz vs Club Brugge Predictions

The last 12 months has been an absolute dream for LASK Linz fans. They qualified for the Europa League for the first time ever in 2017/18, and while they were eliminated in the qualifying rounds it still marked their first appearance in Europe since a brie Intertoto Cup showing at the turn of the millennium.

What followed was a stunning performance in the Austrian Bundesliga which culminating in a runners up medal and their best finish since they won the title back in 1965. The Austrians were only promoted to the top flight in 2017, so it’s been a meteoric rise for them.

They have continued that trend of success into the new campaign too. So far they have won 6 of their 7 competitive matches, failing to win for the first time at the weekend as they drew with Swarovski Tirol. Most impressive was their stunning 5-2 aggregate win over Champions League regulars Basel, including a 3-1 win on home soil.

Club Brugge are regulars in continental competition, but they will be very wary of the Austrian newcomers after the Basel result. The visiting Belgians made it into the Champions League group stages last season, but so much of their success is based on their home form. Away from home, things are less convincing.

In fact, Brugge have won just 1 of their last 12 Champions League away matches, which came in the form of a 4-0 shock against a Monaco side in complete disrepair last season. They have lost 8 of these 12 games as well, and face a LASK side who have won 4 of their last 5 competitive home games.

The visitors’ struggles away from home aren’t just constrained to European football either. In all competitions they have won just 8 of their last 24 away matches, so even their domestic success is built on their record at home.

Considering LASK’s exception performance against Basel last week, we think backing the Austrians to get the win is a good value offering on Tuesday. Defensively they aren’t quite up to scratch though, so a 2-1 correct score prediction looks the best option.