The second leg of the 2024/25 Conference League playoff between APOEL (Cyprus) and Celje (Slovenia) will take place on February 20 at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia. The first match ended in a 2-2 draw. APOEL vs. Celje: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
APOEL
The draw in the first match against Celje (2-2) extended the Cypriots' unbeaten run in the Conference League to five matches (3 wins, 2 draws). However, it's worth noting that Manolo Jimenez's side managed to keep a clean sheet in only one of those games. If the second match ends without a winner after 90 minutes, extra time will be played.
- Both teams have scored in 6 of APOEL's last 8 matches in this tournament.
- At home, the Cypriots have not lost in 7 of their last 9 Conference League matches (6 wins, 1 draw).
- In 4 of their last 5 home games in the Conference League, the club has not scored more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for APOEL (5-3-2)
Vid Belec – Konstantinos Laifis, Issam Chebake, Javi Quintilla, Lasha Dvali, Mateo Susic – Konstantinos Galanopoulos, David Abana, Sergio Tejera – Anastasios Donis, Stefan Dražić.
Defenders Lasha Dvali and Issam Chebake, along with head coach Manolo Jimenez, are suspended. Defender Radoslav Petrovic is injured.
Celje
The Slovenians have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five Conference League matches. With such defensive statistics, achieving good results is challenging: during this period, Albert Riera's team has secured only one victory (2 draws, 2 losses). To avoid extra time, Celje needs to win. However, the team is on a streak of five away losses in this tournament.
- At least three goals have been scored in 7 of Celje's last 8 matches in the Conference League.
- The number "1" has appeared in the final score in 6 of the team's last 7 away matches in the Conference League.
- The club has conceded first in their last 5 away games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Celje (4-3-3)
Ricardo Silva – Lukasz Bejger, Klemen Nemanic, Žan Karničnik, Juanjo Nieto – Tamar Svetlin, Mark Zabukovnik, Mario Kvesic – Armands Kučis, Logan Deloye-Chobe, Svit Sešlar.
Referee
John Beaton (Scotland)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 57;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.3;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 44%.
Match Prediction: APOEL vs. Celje
The draw in the first match will likely make both teams cautious. The stakes are high, and neither side will want to concede a goal at any cost. Moreover, both teams have struggled with scoring.
The Cypriots have scored more than one goal in only one of their last five home matches in the Conference League. However, it's worth noting their solid defense: APOEL has not conceded more than one goal in 7 of their last 9 home games in this tournament. The Slovenians have played seven away matches in the Conference League, and Celje has managed to score at least two goals in only one of them.
In terms of the outcome, my preference is for the hosts, who have not lost in 7 of their last 9 home matches in the Conference League. Meanwhile, the Slovenians have lost five consecutive away games in this tournament, including against another Cypriot team, Pafos.
My prediction: APOEL will not lose and Total under 3.5 goals
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their last match in this tournament.
