LASK Linz V FC Basel Betting Tips: Both Teams to Score – 13 August 2019

LASK Linz V Basel

Tuesday 13 August 2019 – 19:30 Kick-Off
UEFA Champions League Third Round
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Sportingbet

	1	X	2
	11/10	49/20	43/20

* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of August 11th 2019 at 16:40)

First Leg: Basel 1-2 LASK Linz (Goals: Luca Zuffi; Gernot Trauner and Joao Klauss De Mello)

Preview: The onus is firmly on Basel here, with the Swiss side trailing in the tie following a 2-1 defeat last time out at home. LASK Linz may be relative newcomers in European competition but their strong form of both the last and current campaigns merits respect. The Waldstadion in Linz, Austria, will be the venue for this deciding second leg.

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LASK Linz Preview – Austrians to maintain flawless start to season?

Determined to avoid a similar outcome to last season, when they were eliminated on away goals at this same stage of the competition by Besiktas, LASK Linz produced a magnificent display in Switzerland to score two priceless away goals. The only disappointing aspect would have been to concede very late on. Nevertheless, a 2-1 victory was mighty impressive for a club that remains novices on the European stage.

Last season was the first occasion since the turn of the millennium that the club from central Austria could participate in European competition, comfortably overcoming Norwegian side Lillestrom first time out (winning 6-0 on aggregate) before agonisingly losing on away goals to Turkish giants Besiktas. Encouragingly, however, LASK were victorious on both occasions as the home side, beating the former 4-0 and the latter 2-1.

So there is every chance we could witness another victory for the Austrians here, especially as last week’s success was hardly smash and grab – Die Laskler created as many chances as well as enjoying an equal amount of possession. Back at home, where their record was strong in Europe last season but also in the Austrian Bundesliga (W8 D6 L2, GA31 GA16 at home in 2018/19), they will be confident of seeing out this tie.

To top it all off, their start to the new league term has been flawless so far. Victories over Altach (2-0), Austrian Vienna (0-3) and Admira Wacker (0-1) all followed a familiar pattern – all were without conceding. Repeat that here and they will progress onto the next round.

Basel Preview – Swiss side to maintain their flawless record for scoring on their travels?

Arguably the most recognisable name in Swiss football, and boasting a wealth of pedigree on the continent. It counted for almost nothing in the first leg though, as Basel were stunned at home. If anything they could consider themselves fortunate to still be in touching distance of their opponents, with Luca Zaffi’s goal in the closing stages helping to reduce the arrears.

In truth, though, that late goal doesn’t change the complexion too much. It helps their cause significantly, of course, but with or without it Basel would have made this journey to Austria knowing their minimum requirement was to score at least twice. The club has experience for staging comebacks in Europe before; and having faced bigger, leaner and meaner teams from all across Europe during their numerous campaigns spent competing on the continent, this task is unlikely to daunt them.

Their domestic form would also suggest a comeback remains very much plausible. The current Swiss Super League season is four games in with Basel chalking up three wins so far, two of those coming away from home in high-scoring triumphs over Sion (1-4) and FC Thun (2-3). While last season seen them go the entire campaign without failing to score at least once in an away fixture.

However, for all the offensive threat the team carries, they remain suspect defensively. There were a couple of heavy defeats away to their main rival last season, losing 7-1 and 3-1 at eventual champions Young Boys, while their four league games this season have produced a 100% strike rate for both over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring. If Basel are to succeed here, it could be chaotic and fun in equal measure.

Betting Summary

LASK Linz have put themselves in a prominent position to qualify. Their record at home during last season’s Austrian Bundesliga was reasonably strong, losing just twice (W8 D6 L2), while in the qualifying rounds for the Europa League the team recorded wins over Lillestrom (4-0) and Besiktas (2-1). They’ve begun the new league season in fantastic form as well, winning all three games without even conceding.

Basel boast a huge amount of experience and nous on the continent but are not the power they once were, especailly back home where they finished with clear daylight between themselves and champions Young Boys, who thrashed them twice when Basel were the visiting side. Four games into the new season have produced three wins and plenty of goals, with both teams to score landing on all four occasions.

This looks set to be another fun encounter. Basel have no alternative but to go on the front foot in an attempt to reduce what is effectively a two goal deficit, as winning this 1-0 would still see them eliminated on away goals. LASK have yet to concede in the league so far this season and are strong enough at home, but will do well to withstand the Swiss side’s pressure. Both teams to score feels a no brainer.