LASK Kicks Off Second Half of regular Season Against Hartberg

With their 2-1 victory over second-division ASK Voitsberg on Wednesday, LASK secured a spot in the Cup quarterfinals for the seventh consecutive time. Performance-wise, the team aims to build on their strong showing in the second half of last week’s match against SK Sturm as they face head coach Markus Schopp's former club, TSV Hartberg, on Saturday. “We’ll prepare well and try to secure three points at home,” said midfielder Sascha Horvath, noting that he and his teammates have remained unbeaten in four of their last five league matches, securing three wins in that span.

Hartberg also made it to the top eight in the Cup this week with a 3-0 win against Austria Lustenau, underlining their solid recent form. Coach Manfred Schmid's side has suffered just one loss in their last ten competitive matches, winning four of their last five league games. The matchup also carries significance for the standings, as a win could temporarily move LASK ahead of sixth-placed Hartberg, who have played one game fewer.

In their last two encounters with TSV Hartberg, LASK enjoyed success, winning both matches. In the first season duel in early August, the Schwarz-Weißen took three points from Styria with a 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Melayro Bogarde and Philipp Ziereis. They also secured a 2-1 win in the Championship Group just a few months earlier.

In the last six meetings with the East Styrians, LASK has managed to earn points in five of those matches. Now, the Linzers are determined to improve their home record against Hartberg. The overall statistics favor LASK: of the 30 encounters so far, they have claimed twelve victories, while the two teams have drawn twelve times.

For LASK fans, there is an opportunity to support the women's team just a few hours earlier. The LASK women will face FC Bergheim in the Bundesliga at 1:00 p.m. at the LASK field on Daimlerstraße.

ADMIRAL Bundesliga, 12th Round
Saturday, November 2, 5:00 p.m.
LASK vs. TSV Hartberg
Raiffeisen Arena, Referee: Hameter

Unavailable: Lawal, Andrade, Usor, Renner, Pintor