Liam Duckstein
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The second leg of this UEFA Champions League Playoffs tie arrives with both sides level after a 1-1 draw in Bratislava. Celje host Slovan at Stadion Z’dežele knowing a win sends them through, while Slovan need at least a draw to force extra time or grab a victory to advance. The context is fascinating given that these two clubs met in the 2024/25 UCL qualifying round, where Slovan ran out 5-0 winners in the second leg. Celje will be desperate to show that was an anomaly. One player to watch on the Celje side is midfielder Milot Avdyli, who has scored two goals and contributed an assist across his last five appearances and is clearly the most dangerous creative force in this squad. For Slovan, forward Suleiman Camara has two goals and an assist in his last six matches and consistently causes problems in wide areas.
A hot stat worth flagging: Slovan Bratislava have scored 13 goals across their last five matches, averaging 2.6 per game, while generating 82 total shots in that same span. That kind of attacking volume is hard to contain over 90 minutes.
| 🏆 Tournament: | UEFA Champions League 2026/27, Playoffs |
| 🏟 Venue: | Stadion Z’dežele, Celje |
| 🗓️ Date: | 26.08.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 21:00 CEST |
Celje vs Slovan Bratislava Prediction
Slovan Bratislava are the value pick here. They arrive in Celje unbeaten in their last eight matches, with six wins and two draws in that stretch. Celje, by contrast, have managed three wins from eight games in the same period, with four draws and a loss. The aggregate is tied at 1-1 and Slovan have the firepower to do damage on the road.
Celje have been defensively solid at times, but their attacking output has been low, registering only five goals across five recent matches with limited shot volume. Slovan’s ability to create at high frequency, combined with Celje’s modest ball progression and pass accuracy numbers, suggests the visitors will find space. We predict Slovan Bratislava to win this second leg and progress.
Celje have committed 26 fouls in five matches and picked up 11 yellow cards, which signals a side that struggles under pressure and tends to give away set pieces. Slovan, with 40 fouls and only nine yellow cards, are more disciplined despite being more aggressive. Slovan’s higher corner count (26 vs 16) also points to sustained pressure throughout matches. That territorial dominance could prove decisive in a tight second leg where Celje need to attack.
| 🔥 Hot Tip: | Slovan Bratislava to qualify (win or draw in 90 mins favoring Slovan on away goals or extra time) |
| ⚽ Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥 Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯 Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Celje come into this second leg with mixed recent form. They drew 1-1 with Slovan in the first leg, a decent result, and before that beat Nafta 3-1 in a domestic fixture. Their win over Olimpija Ljubljana showed they can grind out results at home, but losses against Ararat-Armenia and a patchy run before that reveal a squad that lacks consistency. The first leg result was their best performance in weeks, which makes this a high-pressure occasion.
Slovan Bratislava have been dominant in recent weeks. They beat Kosice 2-1 most recently, drew 1-1 with Celje in the first leg, and before that dismantled Ruzomberok 5-0 in a statement domestic performance. Back-to-back 2-0 and 2-1 wins over Mjallby in the previous qualifying round confirmed their ability to handle two-legged European ties. They have not lost a match in their last eight, and their squad depth is clear across the roster data.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Celje | Slovan Bratislava |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 7 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Celje vs Slovan Bratislava stats page for more info.
Celje. Source: Official Facebook
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Celje the Slight Favourite
- Moneyline Celje 2.44 | Slovan Bratislava 2.90
- Draw 3.36
- Over/Under Over 2.5 — | Under 2.5 —
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes — | No —
The bookmakers price Celje as a marginal home favourite at around 2.44, with Slovan at roughly 2.90. To be honest, those Slovan odds look generous given their form over the last 30 days. A team with a 75% win rate in eight matches, arriving in a tie that is level on aggregate, deserves shorter odds. Celje’s 39% implied win probability feels slightly inflated by home advantage. The draw at 3.36 is also worth noting for those who expect a tight, cagey affair, but given Slovan’s attacking numbers, a low-scoring stalemate seems unlikely.
Possible Starting Lineups
Celje Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Zan Luk Leban
- DF: Artemijus Tutyskinas, Pijus Sirvys, Damjan Vuklisevic, Leonardo Koutris
- MF: Darko Hrka, Mark Zabukovnik, Mario Kvesić
- FW: Milot Avdyli, Yaya Dukuly, Benjamin Verbič
Celje have been consistent in a 4-3-3 shape and the personnel above reflects the most regularly used players across recent matches. Zan Luk Leban gets the nod in goal based on playing time. Milot Avdyli is the key man in attack with two goals and a creative contribution, and his ability to combine with Verbič on the flanks could be Celje’s best route to a goal. Mario Kvesić’s two assists add a creative dimension from deeper midfield positions. This is a compact, organized setup that will rely heavily on transitions.
Slovan Bratislava Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Dominik Takac
- DF: Kenan Bajrić, César Blackman, Svetozar Marković, Sandro Cruz
- MF: Cristian Martínez, Peter Pokorny, Alen Mustafić, Rash Rahim Ibrahim
- FW: Suleiman Camara, Tigran Barseghyan
Slovan line up in their preferred 4-2-3-1, with Dominik Takac as first choice between the sticks based on six appearances. The back four picks itself, with Bajrić and César Blackman both heavily involved in recent matches, and Blackman’s three assists from a defensive position is a notable attacking contribution. Suleiman Camara and Tigran Barseghyan provide the width and directness up front, while Roman Cerepkai, who has two goals in three appearances, offers a sharp option off the bench. Slovan’s squad is deeper and more balanced, and that shows in how Yaya Touré rotates without losing quality.
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Slovan Bratislava. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
This is a match where the aggregate score of 1-1 creates a fascinating dynamic. Celje must push forward at home, which opens space for Slovan’s quick transitions. Slovan have outscored opponents 13-3 in their last five matches, and their shot volume of 82 in that period dwarfs Celje’s 43. The historical context from 2024/25, where Slovan scored five unanswered goals in Celje, adds weight to the away side’s credentials.
We predict Slovan Bratislava to win this second leg, with both teams scoring. Celje will get a goal given they are playing at home and need to chase the tie, but Slovan’s clinical edge should see them through. A 2-1 or 1-2 scoreline in Slovan’s favor feels like the most likely outcome, and Over 2.5 goals is the bet we back with confidence.
