Draw day for LASK: Europa League play-off draw at 12 noon

Five Austrian clubs in international contention

From an Austrian perspective, Monday's draws bring together several Bundesliga clubs at once. Sturm Graz and Salzburg are seeded in the Europa League play-offs; Salzburg, Austria Wien and Rapid Wien are seeded in the Conference League play-offs. This means that up to five Bundesliga clubs could be represented internationally in the coming weeks – provided they win their respective ties.

Internationally, Celtic Glasgow is among the most prominent clubs still in contention at this stage of European competition. The Glasgow club, according to its own statements, has "… and for the fifth time in a row the league title in the Scottish Premiership," underlining its domestic dominance. Whether Celtic could end up in the same draw as LASK depends on the luck of the draw and the respective seeding lists.

Possible opponents for LASK

Should LASK have to play away, Sparta Prague could be one possible opponent. The Turkish traditional club Fenerbahçe Istanbul and the French representative Olympique Lyonnais also belong to the wider circle of European clubs still in contention at this stage of the competition. The final selection will emerge from Monday's draw.

The play-off round is the final hurdle before the Europa League group stage. Whoever comes through it will, from September onwards, be part of the main competition and will face clubs that advance to the knockout stage as group runners-up or via the league phase. For LASK, it would mark a return to the big European stage after a long absence.

What happens after the draw

Reactions from Linz are expected immediately after the draw. LASK's coach, sporting director and club management intend to comment on the draw at midday on Monday. The club's supporters, too, are eagerly awaiting news of where the team will travel, having only managed to secure a victory in the third qualifying round in their most recent outing.

Regardless of the outcome of the draw, it is certain that LASK will be called upon at the start of European autumn. The play-off matches fall in a period when the domestic Bundesliga is still in its early stages and international appearances attract particular attention. Should the club clear this hurdle, it would send a signal to domestic rivals.

Representatives of the clubs involved will travel to Nyon for the draw and give initial statements immediately after the balls are drawn. UEFA will broadcast the procedure live; the lots will be drawn by representatives of the European football association. For LASK, the announcement of their opponent will bring the waiting phase to an end and usher in concrete preparations for the first leg on August 21.