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Steffen Schmidt - August 9, 2023
LASK vs BW Linz
Austrian Bundesliga
Date: 12 August 2023, Saturday
Kick-off at 18:30 UK / 19:30 CET
Venue: Raiffeisen Arena (Linz).
After taking just one point from the opening two fixtures of the season, LASK are finally looking ahead of a winnable contest as they play host to local rivals BW Linz on Saturday afternoon in Gameweek No 3.
LASK started the season with a 1-1 home draw to Rapid Vienna before dropping the ball to Sturm Graz in a 2-0 defeat last weekend.
It is an underwhelming start after a dominant preseason with five wins in five friendlies and a 6-0 thumping of lower-division Rothis at the beginning of the Austrian Cup campaign.
Nevertheless, the team led by new manager Tomas Sageder will have a nice opportunity to rebound on Saturday.
They take on BW Linz who are making their debut in the top flight of Austrian football this year.
The visitors will also enter the tie with one point from the inaugural two matches of the season. Nevertheless, they have had an easier schedule with the fixtures against Wolfsberger and Hartberg in the process.
BW Linz have big problems with the lack of defensive meticulousness in the elite tier of Austrian football.
They have already conceded five goals in the opening two outings, including three in a hardly-fought 3-3 stalemate against Hartberg six days ago at their Hofmann Personal Stadion.
BW Linz are yet to keep a clean sheet this summer, having allowed at least a goal in all six matches, including three exhibitions and the 5-1 win over Wallern / Marienkirchen in the Austrian Cup.
This is a perfect opportunity for LASK to get their maiden win on the board and we don’t expect them to waste it against the leaky BW Linz back line. The Home win & Over 2.5 goals FT is the standout betting option at the 2.20 odds.
We will alternatively back LASK to win by two or more goals difference at the odds of 2.35.
