LASK want to make up for the last three weeks in Bucharest

Despite the early stage of the season, LASK are already facing a strong headwind. No wonder, because after three league defeats in a row, Linz have slipped to tenth place in the Austrian top flight. Uncertainty is slowly spreading, especially as the Black & Whites had actually started the new season with very high ambitions. The Athletiker could take the first important step out of their mini crisis on Thursday evening in Bucharest. Namely, if a bet between FCSB and LASK on the promotion of the Austrians would pay off

The chances are definitely still intact, as the two teams drew 1-1 in the first leg a week ago. What could play into the Linzers’ hands ahead of the complicated away assignment in the Romanian capital and increase the likelihood of a successful FCSB vs LASK prediction on the visitors is the fact that the home side are also going through a difficult phase at the moment and are going into the decisive play-off second leg at the Ghencea Stadium without much confidence

On paper, the Romanian champions are still the favorites. If we look at the FCSB vs LASK odds ahead of the second match on Thursday evening, 2.25 is offered for a home win after 90 minutes and 3.45 for an away win in regular time.

For those who want to avoid the three-way market, we recommend the betting provider Merkur Bets, which offers a wide range of bets and automatically pays the betting tax.

FCSB – Statistics & current form

As Romanian champions in 2024, FCSB’s international adventure began this season in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. Against SS Virtus from San Marino, they did not show any weakness at all with an 11:1 aggregate score. The second hurdle with Maccabi Tel Aviv was also narrowly overcome – 2:1 after the first and second legs. Only against Sparta Prague did the dream of the premier class finally come to an end. A 3:2 defeat at home, of all things, after the first leg in the Czech Republic had ended 1:1

The FCSB is in a real crisis

The Blue & Reds find themselves in exactly the same position on Thursday. After the 1:1 in Austria, FCSB have a much better chance of reaching the Europa League main draw against LASK this time, according to the odds. Bet-at-home, for example, is offering 1.55 for the Romanians to advance. Meanwhile, those who do not yet have an account with Bet-at-home can take advantage of the attractive welcome bonus and thus minimize their own betting risk.

In principle, however, there is skepticism as to whether the odds on offer are justified, as the team of Cypriot coach Ilias Charalampous is definitely not in good shape at the moment. The start to the season in the domestic league has gone badly wrong. After six match days, the national champions have just five meagre points to their name and are in penultimate place. They have already conceded ten goals. They have also lost their two most recent league games.

The Blue & Reds have struggled in particular at home. They have only managed four points from four home games in the league. They have even lost two of their last three home games. Self-confidence has suffered as a result of the recent results and the negative run of four consecutive games without a win (0-1-3). It would therefore be too risky for us to play the lower odds between FCSB and LASK. Instead, we place value on the bets on the Austrian guest.

Predicted line-up of FCSB:
Tarnovanu – Radunovic, Dawa, Ngezana, Cretu – Sut, Edjouma – Miculescu, Olaru, Baluta – Popa

LASK – Statistics & current form

Before the season began, LASK were in euphoric mood. On the one hand, this was due to the fact that they were able to sign some highly talented and well-known players. On the other hand, it was also due to the good impressions made in the test matches. As a reminder: Galatasaray, among others, were put in their place with a 3:2 win in the preparation. When they even won their first two competitive games of the new season in the cup and the Bundesliga, some experts even saw Linz as championship contenders in Austria

Does LASK benefit from the underdog role?

A few weeks later, gloom has returned. The two victories at the start of the season were followed by three defeats in a row at league level, which saw the Whites and Blacks drop to third-last place in the table. The home defeat against Altach in particular was a headache, as was the 2:1 defeat at Vienna Austria at the weekend, which was absolutely deserved considering the share of the game and scoring chances. A significant improvement in all areas is needed to nip the growing criticism in the bud

The beauty of soccer, however, is that it’s all in a day’s work. If we make it through to the Europa League group stage on Thursday evening, it would probably be a real boost for the rest of the season. It is also quite possible that coach Darasz’s team will feel comfortable in the underdog role and will be able to create dangerous transitional moments from a compact defensive formation.

Although the loss of difference-maker Robert Zulj is particularly painful, we believe the Athletics are at least on a par with the hosts from Bucharest in terms of quality. It is therefore also conceivable to consider betting odds of X2 & under 3.5 before the second leg between FSCB and LASK. We don’t expect many goals in the 90 minutes. On the one hand, there is too much at stake. On the other hand, both teams are not necessarily brimming with confidence after their recent negative experiences and results.

Predicted line-up of LASK:
Siebenhandl – Bello, Smolcic (?), Ziereis, Bogarde – Horvath, Berisha – Pintor – Usor, Ljubicic, Taoui

FCSB – LASK head-to-head comparison / H2H record

Before the 1-1 draw in the first leg the previous week, there was another meeting between the teams this calendar year. In January 2024, FCSB defeated Linz 3:1 as part of their winter preparations. However, this friendly match has just as little relevance as the direct duels in 1999/2000, both of which also went to the Romanians. Nevertheless, LASK need their first win in the fifth encounter if they are to progress to the Europa League main draw in the regular season

FCSB – LASK betting tip

After the 1-1 draw in the first leg between LASK and FCSB, everything is still wide open ahead of the second leg. Due to the home advantage, the team from Bucharest is considered the favorite. In terms of squad strength and individual quality, however, the competing teams are on an equal footing. Consequently, we expect an evenly balanced match with a 50/50 chance of advancing to the next round

That’s exactly why we’re pushing for the Austrians to advance ahead of the second match between FCSB and LASK. Neither team is in good shape. Linz have lost three league games in a row, while the Romanian champions have gone four games without a win and have slipped to penultimate place in the domestic table. Given the starting position, we would always opt for the higher and value-laden odds