LASK Linz v Liverpool

LASK vs Liverpool Preview

The opening group matches in this season's Europa League will also be played during this week and Thursday night features this upcoming clash in Group E between Austrian hosts, LASK, and their English visitors, Liverpool, at the Raiffeisen Arena with the hosts preparing themselves for a tough night at the office.

On the domestic front, LASK Linz have made a positive start to the new Austrian Bundesliga season as the hosts occupy third place in the table having put together a solid looking five-match unbeaten run in the league which includes four wins with victories gained over Blau-Weiss Linz, Austria Vienna, Austria Lustenau and Austria Klagenfurt respectively.

In addition, LASK ensured their passage through to the group stage of this season's Europa League by recording a 3-2 win on aggregate against Bosnia-Herzegovina outfit, Zrinjski, in the play-offs to determine who would progress into the group stage.

The bigger picture also looks promising overall for LASK who have been handed just one defeat out of their last 16 matches in all competitions while in the Europa League, LASK have produced a steady sequence of results, losing just four of their last 18 ties at this level, although they have lost three of four ties against Premier League opposition during this period.

Liverpool further extended their unbeaten start in the new Premier League season to five games on the weekend when they registered a comprehensive 3-1 win away from home at Wolves which also made it four league wins on the trot for Jurgen Klopp's men.

Victories against Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Aston Villa will also serve as a valuable boost ahead of this upcoming opening game in Group E in Austria on Wednesday night and Liverpool must surely be amongst the favourites to lift this season's Europa League trophy.

The bigger picture shows Liverpool have suffered just the one defeat out of their last 21 matches in all competitions so it's perhaps no surprise that the odds in the straight win markets are very slim for this Liverpool outfit who have collected no fewer than 14 wins during this period.

However, goals also look likely in this clash with LASK as 16 of Liverpool's previous 21 games in all competitions have resulted in Over 2.5 goals, while eight of Liverpool's last 10 away games have also produced three goals or more.

LASK v Liverpool Verdict

LASK with home advantage may fancy sneaking an upset here in this opening game in Group E but goals certainly look the most likely outcome for this clash with their more illustrious opponents, Liverpool, as seven of LASK's last 10 Europa League ties have resulted in Over 2.5 goals and this upcoming encounter also looks set to be an entertaining clash.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 2.5 goals @ 1.50

Other side bets worth considering:

Liverpool win & Over 3.5 goals @ 2.62

Correct score: Liverpool 3-1 @ 11.00