With Confidence into the Final Showdown

The Athletiker can travel to Graz with confidence. LASK remains the only Bundesliga team unbeaten in competitive matches this calendar year. The Linz side has collected points in each of their last seven games, recently securing three consecutive victories with 2-1 wins against Rapid, in Klagenfurt, and over Tirol. In fact, LASK tops the spring standings with 11 points. Now, the goal is to continue this run in the final regular-season match against defending champions Sturm.

"We all know what to expect against Sturm. We have to be ready for plenty of duels and find good solutions against their pressing. I’m confident that we can take all three points in Graz," said Florian Flecker optimistically.

The situation is clear: As the current fifth-placed team, Markus Schopp’s squad has everything in its own hands in the race for a spot in the championship group. A win would secure their position and mark LASK’s sixth appearance in the upper play-off in the past seven years. In the event of a draw or a loss, they would have to rely on results from other matches. If LASK, Rapid, and Blau-Weiß end up level on points, both Linz clubs would advance to the top six based on head-to-head results.

Defending champions Sturm lead the table after 21 rounds, level on points with Austria Wien. In their first five matches of the spring season, the Graz side secured two wins and a draw, most recently celebrating a late 2-1 comeback victory against city rivals GAK—mirroring LASK’s triumph over Tirol. Recent encounters with Sturm have consistently delivered not only high intensity but also plenty of drama. While the Styrians edged the reverse fixture 2-1, last season’s final clash between the two teams ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Raiffeisen Arena.

LASK’s last away victory in Graz came in August 2022, when they snatched a 1-0 win. This season, their strong away form provides further reason for confidence: With 17 points from 10 matches, the Upper Austrians rank as the league’s third-best away team, while their tally of just 11 goals conceded on the road makes them the Bundesliga’s best defensive side in away games. However, LASK will have to manage without captain Philipp Ziereis and Branko Jovicic on Sunday, as both are suspended due to their fifth yellow card.

ADMIRAL Bundesliga – Round 22
Sunday, March 16, 2025 – 5:00 PM
SK Sturm Graz - LASK 
Merkur Arena, Referee: Christopher Jäger

Out: Andrade, Usor, Jungwirth, Mustapha
Suspended: Ziereis, Jovicic
Doubtful: Smolcic