LASK Backed to Open Title Defence With Win Over Grazer AK

The new Austrian Bundesliga season begins in the early hours of Saturday, with LASK hosting Grazer AK in the opening match. Playing at home, LASK look well placed to start their title defence with a win against weaker opposition.

Although LASK finished only third in the regular season last term, they produced an excellent run in the championship round and eventually lifted the title. Their attacking pair, Moses Usor and Adeniran, were key to the team’s success, combining for 23 goals and 10 assists last season. The club had no intention of selling either player during the summer, keeping both to lead the line again.

In the first round of the Austrian Cup, LASK thrashed Kalsdorf 7-0. Adeniran started and scored once, while Moses Usor came off the bench and provided an assist, with both players showing solid form ahead of the league opener. LASK therefore have every reason to feel confident about taking all three points in round one.

Grazer AK, by contrast, have limited quality. They finished second from bottom in the regular season last year, though they managed to stay up by holding their ground in the relegation round. Even so, getting a result in the opening game of the new campaign looks a difficult task.

First, Grazer AK were beaten twice by LASK last season, underlining the gap in quality between the two sides. Second, they were very poor away from home in the regular season, recording just 1 win, 3 draws and 7 defeats from 11 away matches. Finally, they have lost on each of their last three visits to LASK. All signs point to a tough night for Grazer AK.