Bundesliga Austria, Sunday, 28.09.2024 at 17:00
With a 2-1 victory in the Vienna derby against Austria, Rapid took the lead in the Austrian Bundesliga. Due to serious riots between the two rival fan groups after the game, the mood in Vienna-Hütteldorf was rather subdued.
On Saturday afternoon, the Viennese will host last year’s third-placed LASK, who have, however, messed up the start of the season.
For this reason, Rapid are the betting providers’ favorites to win, with odds of around 1.8. In my Rapid Vienna LASK betting tip, I expect over 2.5 goals in the game and goals on both sides.
With the derby victory over Austria, Rapid also won their fourth home game of the season. Before that, the green-whites had already beaten champions Sturm Graz (1-0), WSG Tirol (2-0) and the dethroned serial champions Red Bull Salzburg (3-2).
The Viennese have thus already eliminated what appeared to be their toughest opponents in their own stadium. It is therefore no surprise that the bookmakers also believe that Robert Klauß’s team can beat LASK.
LASK have got off to a poor start to the new season, suffering five defeats in their first six games. The club’s management reacted quickly and replaced head coach Thomas Darazs with former Hartberg coach Markus Schopp.
In the first game under new leadership, the black and whites suffered a bitter 1-0 derby defeat at Blau-Weiß Linz, but last weekend they finally got a taste of success again with a 4-2 home win over promoted GAK.
In their last duel with Rapid, LASK had a brilliant victory under coach Darasz. On April 28, 2024, the record champions suffered a 5-0 defeat in Linz. This had only happened to the Viennese team once before (in 1998).
This gives Rapid the opportunity for revenge. Compared to last season, the team has improved greatly in the first few games of the new season.
The comparison in home games is clear: in the 2023/24 season, Rapid won four out of a total of 16 home games in the entire season. Now the Hütteldorfern also have four wins, but after just four games.
New signings such as Mamadou Sangare, Serge-Philippe Raux Yao and striker Dion Beljo have hit the ground running. In addition, winter signing Isak Jansson has improved a lot and played a major role in the 3-2 win over Red Bull.
However, he was injured afterwards and was therefore absent from the last few games. It is therefore unlikely that he will play against LASK.
Nevertheless, Rapid have been able to cope well with absences recently. 18-year-old Nikolaus Wurmbrand scored in his first league game against Wolfsberger AC.
Nevertheless, I am not expecting an easy win for the hosts in my Rapid Vienna LASK tip. After all, despite the weak start to the season, LASK has a lot of quality in the team and, in my opinion, will soon find its way back to its old form.
In addition, Rapid’s record against LASK in recent games is very modest. In the last six duels, the green-whites have not won and only drew four times.
Three of them in their own stadium (1:1, 3:3, 0:0). Overall, Rapid have not been defeated at home by LASK in eight games (5 wins, 3 draws). I believe that this will remain the case this time too.
Nevertheless, I expect it to be a rather close affair, even though the Betano app, for example, sees the hosts as the clear favorites.
Although Rapid are always dangerous in front of goal, they sometimes struggle to finish. On the other hand, their defense is always good for conceding a goal and LASK have a lot of quality in attack.
Both teams were still in action in the ÖFB Cup during the week. LASK won 4-0 at Mauer on Tuesday. Rapid followed that up with a 3-1 win over Donaufeld on Wednesday, coming from behind after trailing 1-0 at half-time.
One should also not ignore the good record of LASK coach Markus Schopp in away games against Rapid. As coach of Hartberg, he took three points out of the Allianz Stadium in Hütteldorf four times in eight league games.
I am therefore refraining from predicting the winner and am therefore assuming goals on both sides in my Rapid LASK tip, with at least three goals being scored in total.
If, on the other hand, I had to commit to a final result, I would bet on a 2:1 or 3:1. Such bets are of course associated with an increased risk, but are of course offered by all top betting providers.
My tip: Over 2.5 goals & both score
