LASK vs Toulouse prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-12-13 17:45.
Having lost four of their five UEFA Europa League (UEL) group-stage matches this season (W1), Austrians LASK have already been eliminated from last-16 contention ahead of their final game against Toulouse. Instead, the hosts will look to overtake Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and finish third in Group E in order to reach the UEFA Conference League knockout play-off round, though only obtaining a win here coupled with a favourable result in the Belgians’ encounter against Liverpool will be enough to achieve that.
LASK prepared for this UEL showdown by claiming a 3-1 victory in the Austrian top flight over the weekend, a result which made it just two defeats across their last nine competitive fixtures (W5, D2). They’ve also looked strong at home so far this term, having lost just one of their 11 such games (W8, D2) which leaves them well placed to avenge their 1-0 defeat in the reverse H2H.
Unlike their hosts in this one, visiting Toulouse have it all to play for as they look to pick up any sort of positive result here in Austria in order to qualify in second spot. They begin this matchday three points clear of Union Saint-Gilloise, so even a loss could see them reach the knockout round, as long as the Belgian side don’t overturn the goal differential after the pair drew both their H2Hs.
That’ll be music to the French outfit’s ears then, as they’re winless in five outings since beating Liverpool 3-2 in early November (D3, L2), with morale likely now running low in the travelling camp. Toulouse have scored just twice during that spell, an issue they’ll look to address as they bid to reach the knockout phase of a major European competition for the first time in their history!
Players to watch: LASK captain Robert Žulj has struck ten goals in all competitions this campaign, including three in this season’s UEL, which have all come on home soil. Toulouse could be reliant on forward Thijs Dallinga, who has eight goals in 2023/24, with the last four all arriving after half-time.
Hot stat: Just one of LASK’s last five home games saw both teams score.