LASK vs Slovan Bratislava ; Predicted line ups, team news and analysis

LASK host Slovan Bratislava in Linz on Tuesday, with both teams looking to improve their position in the Champions League league phase.

The Austrian side head into Matchday Four with three points from their first three matches, while Slovan sit bottom of the 36-team table without a point to their name.

LASK have experienced mixed fortunes in Europe so far, but their impressive 3-2 win away to Sporting CP last time out showed they have the quality to compete with strong opposition.

Yaya Touré’s side, on the other hand, are desperate for a response after losing their first three Champions League matches. They have conceded 13 goals during that run and managed to score just once.

Slovan did at least arrive in Linz with some domestic confidence, having beaten Podbrezová 2-1 on Saturday. Tigran Barseghyan and Rahim Ibrahim were both on target.

Speaking after the victory, Touré said: “We created a lot of chances, many of which we did not take. We need to be more precise and effective.” His comments highlight one of Slovan’s main challenges as they look to carry their attacking threat into European competition.

 LASK looking to build on Sporting success

Dietmar Kühbauer’s team have already proved they can compete in the league phase, coming from behind to secure a 3-2 victory over Sporting in Lisbon.

There are still concerns at the back, though. LASK have conceded the opening goal in all three of their Champions League matches so far.

Their most recent domestic performance provided another positive result, with Saturday’s 2-1 win over WSG Tirol coming courtesy of goals from Alessandro Schöpf and Robert Ljubičić.

Kühbauer called it “not a spectacle, but a workmanlike victory”, admitting there was room for improvement despite his side picking up all three points.

LASK will now look to take that confidence into Tuesday’s match. Playing at home gives them an opportunity to build on their European progress and move closer to the knockout play-off places.

Slovan need to improve European form

Slovan have enjoyed considerably better results domestically than they have in Europe, and Saturday’s win over Podbrezová continued that encouraging run.

Their Champions League performances have been a different story. Defeats against Paris Saint-Germain, Stuttgart and Roma have left them rooted to the bottom of the standings.

The Slovakian champions know they will need to tighten things up defensively while creating more regular chances if they are to cause LASK problems.

Team news and predicted line-ups

LASK are expected to be without George Bello and Ramiz Harakate. Moses Usor has returned from injury, however, and could be available for selection.

Slovan’s Roman Čerepkai is reportedly a doubt through injury, although the visitors will hope to have enough attacking options to challenge the hosts.

LASK predicted XI: Jungwirth; Jørgensen, Mbuyamba, Andrade, Alemão, Dibango; Ljubičić, Horvath, Daněk; Lang, Kalajdžić.

Slovan Bratislava predicted XI: Takáč; Blackman, Bajrić, Marković, Cruz; Pokorný, Ibrahim, Gajdoš; Barseghyan, Marcelli, Camara.

LASK will be keen to take advantage of playing at home, but Slovan’s improved domestic form means the visitors should not be taken lightly.